Pour Point Depressant Market is Segmented By Chemistry (Poly Alkyl Methacrylate, Styrene Ester, Alkylated Polystyrene, Alkyl Aromatic Polymer, Others), By Application(Multigrade single oil, Automatic and power transmission fluids, Automotive gear oils, Oil & Gas, Lubrication), and by Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2024-2031
Report Overview
Global Pour Point Depressant Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period (2024-2031).
Pour point depressants are polymers that allow lubricants and oil to flow at very low wintertime temperatures, avoiding heavy wax formation at these cold temperatures and allowing the oil to remain pumpable. The pour point depressants are used in paraffinic base oils in applications where very low machine startup temperature conditions are possible. Most paraffinic motor oils use pour point depressants. Although most wax is extracted during base oil refining, high-molecular-weight species are required to obtain the desired target viscosity. Therefore, pour point depressants are combined to allow mineral oils to function at low temperatures while retaining the viscosity benefits at higher temperatures. Suitable additives can lower the pour point by as much as 40° C. The PPD is commonly used in applications demanding mineral oil, usually below 0° C. Over the years, numerous synthetic materials have been introduced commercially as pour point depressants. Chlorinated wax is the most important example of small-molecule chemistry. Still, most commercial products are moderate to high molecular weight polymers, such as polymethacrylates, polyacrylates, acrylate-styrene copolymers, alkylated polystyrene, esterified olefin vinyl acetate-fumarate copolymers and others.
Pour Point Depressant Market Summary
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Metrics |
Details |
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Market CAGR |
5.6% |
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Segments Covered |
By Chemistry, By Application, and By Region |
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Report Insights Covered |
Competitive Landscape Analysis, Company Profile Analysis, Market Size, Share, Growth, Demand, Recent Developments, Mergers and acquisitions, New Product Launches, Growth Strategies, Revenue Analysis, and Other key insights. |
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Fastest Growing Region |
Asia Pacific |
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Largest Market Share |
North America |
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Pour Point Depressant Market Dynamics
The global pour point depressant market growth is driven by the rising demand for effective transportation of crude oil and the growing need for marine fuels.
Rising demand for effective transportation of crude oil
Current logistics and pipeline infrastructure limitations make transportation of waxy crude oil challenging, compelling a step-change in the chemistry needed to relieve crude oil composition issues. Pour-point depressants have been found as an effective solution for wax prevention. Today, 20% of produced crudes suffer from high wax levels and high pour points. Most producers transport crude oil by pipeline from borehole to port storage, process plant, or refinery. To overcome transportation problems, different technologies are used. For pipeline transport, the pour point depressants are far more economical than other technologies. The companies are offering several types of products to meet the challenge.
Various leading companies are currently launching new product launches to overcome the aforementioned problems, which is expected to drive the market. For example, In 2019, Clariant Oil Services unveiled its new SubZero Pour Point Depressant technology. The innovation will support oil production companies, especially those operating in cold climate regions, to overcome the challenges with the transportation of waxy crude oils and reducing wax deposition.
A growing need for marine fuels
Refineries are developing and promoting new fuel blends combining heavy and light streams to avoid a significant rise in fuel prices and meet the new sulfur emissions restrictions. Shipowners who do not want or cannot install expensive exhaust treatment equipment are beginning to recognize the value of these hybrid fuels. The new marine diesel types needed to be brought to Pour Point specification with PPDs.
The companies have followed this global emission reduction trend early on and are focusing on developing tailored additives for new types of marine diesel. The leading companies and global laboratories help refiners combine their production streams to ensure the final products are stable and marketable, meeting the new regulations. The scenarios mentioned above are expected to drive the global pour point depressant market in the forest period.
Low effectiveness of pour point depressants
Pour point depressants have been successful in some instances, but they do not assure effective operations for all kinds of scenarios. A chemical ideal for one type of oil may not work with oil from the different retorting processes. The pour point depressants necessitate being designed to be custom-made as per the base oils. Similar applications may need different pour point depressants involving different product specifications. If the ideal pour point depressant is not selected, the low-temperature viscosity increases and restrains the oil from protecting the engine in critical conditions.
Moreover, most of the pour Point Depressants available in the market are waxy or solid at room temperature and must be warmed up before use. The time effort and complexity of using a pour Point Depressants increases. It is difficult to use heatable systems in special areas, like EX-zones or onboard. The scenarios mentioned above are expected to restrain the market growth in the forecast period.
COVID-19 Impact on Pour Point Depressant Market Growth
Due to the pandemic, the pour point depressant market has seen a notable impact as the production work in the oil & gas sectors was closed or was working with low production capabilities. Pour point depressants are widely employed for oil and lubricants to flow at challenging temperatures. The less demand from the oil & gas industry for efficient transportation of crude oil was one of the major reasons affecting the pour point depressant market. Leading oil & gas companies, such as BP, Royal Dutch, and Exxon have reported billions of losses during the pandemic. The pour point depressant market has also faced a downfall from the lubrication sectors which comprises the automotive, marine, and aviation industries. However, the demand has been stable in the year 2020 with the majority of the industries back on track. However, the market is expected to boom after the pandemic, with oil & gas giants aiming to work with higher production rates to recover from the incorporated losses, which will passively impact the pour point depressant market.
Market Segment Analysis
By end-user, the pour point depressant market is segmented into lubrication and oil & gas.
The effective operations of vehicles in challenging is rising sales for the lubrication sector
The lubrication sector is expected to hold a significant pour point depressant market share. The use of pour point depressants has been extensively growing in the automotive, industrial, aviation, and other industries for efficient lubrication. The superior wax crystallization control of pour point depressants guarantees optimized oil flow behavior in cold climates, so equipment and vehicles can operate smoothly in adverse weather. The pour point depressants help overcome the severe low-temperature viscometric demands of modern lubricants, presenting robustness across performance packages, base stock groups, and applications.
Various leading companies have been developing additives for effective operations and maintenance in vehicles and equipment, which is expected to drive market growth. For example, In 2021, Rislone launched a treatment additive designed to extend gear system life by reducing noise, stopping leaks, and improving gear performance in automotive, heavy-duty, agricultural, and industrial gear oils. An additive booster includes a multigrade viscosity modifier to help keep oil on the gears and a pour point depressant to assure that the Gear Repair will flow even at low temperatures.
Moreover, in 2020, Chevron Oronite announced the launch of GF-6 with its OLOA 55600, which has been tested in real-world conditions and is cooperative with hybrids. The company will also offer the technology with a pour point depressant to interested customers.
Market Geographical Share
The rapid expansion of oil & gas and automotive industries in the Asia Pacific is boosting pour point depressant sales
Asia Pacific region holds a significant market share of the pour point depressant market globally and is expected to continue its dominance in the forecast period. The region has been requiring the use of pour point depressants in a diverse range of applications, including the transport of crudes, heavy oils, middle distillates, waxy components, and biodiesel or marine diesel blends. The demand for the pour point depressant has grown with expanding oil extraction & production activities for crude oil derivatives like gasoline and diesel. Moreover, leading countries like China in terms of the automotive industry have been growing the market growth. The region is moving towards technological advancements allowing automotive manufacturers to develop innovation in pour point depressant products.
Various leading countries have been investing and expanding their pour point depressant business in the region amidst lucrative opportunities. For instance, in 2019, Clariant opened a new supply base in Bojonegoro, Indonesia, in a ceremony attended by government officials and local customers. According to the company, the expansion will provide the customers of its Oil Services business with an improved supply chain for its pour point depressant and drag-reducing agent products, in line with the industry's specific requirements.
Pour Point Depressant Companies and Competitive Landscape
The pour point depressant market is moderately competitive with companies focusing on offering a broad range of pour point depressants intended to meet the customer’s specifications in a variety of streams and applications. The market has been dominated by global companies with a presence in several countries. Some of the key players contributing to the market's growth are Afton Chemicals, Clariant AG, Evonik Industries, Akzonobel, Croda International, Chevron Corporation, Innospec Inc., Infineum International Limited, Ecolab, Messina Chemicals and others. The major players are adopting various new strategies to dominate the market, such as launching new products, acquisitions, and collaborations, contributing to the growth of the pour point depressant market globally.
Clariant AG
Overview: Clariant AG is a multinational specialty chemicals company, established in 1995 as a spin-off from Sandoz. The company is focused on four business areas: catalysis, care chemicals, natural resources, and plastics & coatings. Clariant Oil Services is a leader in developing, manufacturing, and supplying specialty chemicals and services to the oil & gas industry.
Product Portfolio: Clariant Refinery Services offers a wide range of pour point depressants designed to meet the specifications in various streams and applications like the transport of crudes, waxy components, and biodiesel. The company offers its products under the brand DODIFLOW.
Key Development: In 2020, Clariant Refinery Services announced the opening of its state-of-the-art crude and fuel oil lab in the UK. The facility is equipped to tackle pour point challenges for marine fuel customers to meet IMO 2020 regulations.
