Viscosity Index Improvers Market By Polymer Type (Olefin Copolymer, Polymethacrylate, Hydrogenated Styrene-Diene); By Application (Engine Oils, Transmission Fluids, Hydraulic Fluids, Gear Oils); By End User (Automotive OEMs & Aftermarket, Commercial Fleets, Industrial Equipment, Marine & Energy); By Geography, Segment Revenue Estimation, Forecast, 2024–2030

1. Introduction and Strategic Context

The Global Viscosity Index Improvers Market is projected to grow at a robust CAGR of 4.9% , starting at approximately USD 3.18 billion in 2024 and reaching nearly USD 4.24 billion by 2030 , according to internal estimates by Strategic Market Research.

 

Viscosity index improvers (VIIs) are polymer additives that stabilize lubricant viscosity across wide temperature ranges. They play a key role in both automotive and industrial lubrication systems — especially in multigrade engine oils, transmission fluids, and hydraulic oils. The rising complexity of engines, together with stricter fuel economy norms, is pushing OEMs and lubricant formulators to shift toward more thermally stable oil compositions. That’s exactly where VIIs come in.

 

So, what’s really fueling this market? On one end, there's a global push to improve fuel efficiency in internal combustion engines, particularly in high-mileage commercial fleets and hybrid vehicles. On the other, electric drivetrains and automated industrial gearboxes are demanding high-performance fluids that don’t break down under stress or extreme thermal cycling. VI improvers help formulators strike that balance — ensuring low-temperature flow and high-temperature protection.

 

From a supply chain standpoint, VIIs are a critical value-adding segment in the lubricant additive industry. Major oil companies, chemical manufacturers, and specialty polymer producers operate in this space, often through long-term contracts with base oil blenders and OEMs. The market structure is somewhat consolidated, but innovation is ongoing — especially around new polymers, shear-stability enhancements, and bio-based alternatives.

 

Strategically, the 2024–2030 period marks a pivotal stretch. Why? Because global lubricant demand is flattening, yet the value per liter is rising . This gives VI improvers a chance to become higher-margin differentiators — not just commodity ingredients. And with emission rules tightening in India, the U.S., and the EU, multigrade lubricants with advanced VIIs are quickly becoming the default spec in many markets.

 

Also worth noting — there's growing interest in viscosity control for non-lubricant applications like specialty greases, coatings, and functional fluids used in defense and aerospace. That could unlock entirely new downstream growth paths.

Bottom line? While the base oil market gets more commoditized, VI improvers are carving out strategic relevance — not because they're trendy, but because modern machinery demands more from the fluids inside it.

 

2. Market Segmentation and Forecast Scope

The viscosity index improvers market breaks down across four core dimensions: polymer type , application area , end-user industry , and geography . Each lens reveals how lubricant performance standards are evolving, and where value is shifting in the additive ecosystem.

By Polymer Type

• Olefin Copolymer (OCP ) These are the most widely used viscosity modifiers, especially in passenger car motor oils. OCPs strike a solid balance between cost, shear stability, and compatibility with Group II/III base oils.

• Polymethacrylate (PMA ) Known for superior shear stability and thermal resistance. PMAs are gaining traction in premium synthetic lubricants, transmission fluids, and industrial applications where fluid life matters more than price.

• Hydrogenated Styrene-Diene Copolymer (HSD ) These high-performance VIIs are mostly used in gear oils and high-load environments. Their ability to maintain viscosity under extreme pressure makes them ideal for heavy machinery.

In 2024, OCPs account for nearly 62% of global revenue , but PMAs are growing the fastest , particularly in EV transmission oils and synthetic lubricants.

By Application

• Engine Oils This remains the largest segment, driven by increasing adoption of multigrade oils across both light-duty and commercial vehicles. As OEMs demand longer drain intervals and higher thermal stability, VI improvers are becoming more tailored to engine design.

• Transmission Fluids Automatic and dual-clutch transmissions — especially in hybrids — require highly stable viscosities. PMAs and HSD copolymers are gaining share here, as formulators aim to reduce friction and boost fuel economy.

• Hydraulic Fluids In construction and factory automation, machines face rapid temperature swings. This is creating demand for VIIs with high thickening efficiency and excellent shear resistance.

• Gear Oils & Greases Specialty VIIs are used to support load-bearing capacity in extreme environments like mining, wind turbines, and marine gearboxes.

While engine oil dominates in volume , transmission and hydraulic fluids are growing faster due to their alignment with electrification and smart factory trends.

By End-User

• Automotive OEMs & Aftermarket Car makers and lubricant brands continue to be the biggest buyers — often co-developing VI blends for specific engine platforms or geographic standards.

• Industrial Equipment Manufacturers These include factories, construction firms, and energy plants where fluid reliability is tied directly to uptime and safety. Customized VI packages are in demand here.

• Aviation & Marine Smaller segment, but growing in relevance. As electric aircraft and low-emission vessels emerge, there's a push for thermally stable, long-life lubricants with superior viscosity retention.

By Region

• Asia Pacific Largest market by volume. China and India dominate due to vehicle production, aftermarket lubricant sales, and rapid industrial expansion.

• North America More mature, but moving toward high-performance synthetics — especially in long-haul trucking and off-highway vehicles.

• Europe Strong focus on fuel economy and emission compliance. Stricter lubricant specs are driving adoption of premium VIIs, especially PMA-based ones.

• Latin America, Middle East & Africa (LAMEA ) Still developing, but industrial use is expanding fast — especially in mining and construction-heavy countries like Brazil and South Africa.

Scope Insight: VI improvers aren’t just reacting to oil trends — they’re reshaping them. As base oil groups get more refined and OEM specs get tighter, viscosity modifiers are becoming the backbone of premium formulations across automotive and industrial use.

 

3. Market Trends and Innovation Landscape

Viscosity index improvers may seem like a mature market on the surface, but beneath that stability lies a wave of innovation — from polymer design to additive compatibility and application-specific customization. What’s really changing is the performance envelope: VIIs today are expected to do far more than simply maintain viscosity across temperatures.

1. Polymer Chemistry Is Getting Smarter

The big push right now is on custom-engineered polymers that resist shear degradation over longer service intervals. Traditional OCPs are being reformulated with higher molecular weights and branched architectures to boost durability without sacrificing solubility in base oils.

Meanwhile, next-gen PMAs are being tweaked to reduce friction at startup and enhance fuel economy in cold conditions — especially for EV gearboxes and hybrid drivetrains. Some producers are also exploring block copolymers for their ability to maintain viscosity while reducing additive treat rates.

One formulator from a European lubricant company said it plainly: “The goal isn’t just viscosity retention anymore — it’s fuel economy, shear control, and lower volatility all in one molecule.”

2. Shear Stability Is a Non-Negotiable

Fleet managers and industrial users are demanding longer drain intervals , which means fluids can’t lose their viscosity under constant mechanical stress. This has turned High Shear, High Temperature (HTHS) stability into a performance benchmark for VIIs.

In response, chemical suppliers are launching shear-resistant PMA blends and nano -reinforced OCPs that extend lubricant life — especially in extreme-duty applications like mining, trucking, and high-speed rail.

3. Electrification Is Reshaping Requirements

EVs don’t use engine oil, but they rely heavily on thermal management fluids and gear oils — and these fluids still need VI control. The difference is that EV environments involve:

• Lower average temperatures

• High torque load at startup

• Faster oxidation due to electric heating

This has created a new market for low-viscosity, shear-stable VIIs tailored to e-transmission and battery-cooling fluids.

Some polymer labs are testing VI improvers that double as dielectric stabilizers — a niche but potentially game-changing use case in next-gen EVs.

4. Compatibility with Bio-Based and Group III Oils

As the base oil pool shifts toward Group III and bio-based alternatives , VI improvers must maintain solubility and performance in these newer formulations. That’s easier said than done.

Polymer innovators are now offering tailor-made VIIs that match the polarity and volatility of bio-lubes, synthetic esters, and highly refined paraffinic oils. This opens up more sustainable and regulatory-compliant lubricant options.

5. Additive Synergy and Digital Formulation

Modern lubricant blends are intricate — VIIs must work alongside detergents, dispersants, anti-wear agents, and friction modifiers. This has led to predictive modeling tools and AI-powered compatibility platforms that simulate how a VII performs under real-world operating conditions.

Some leading chemical companies are launching cloud-based toolkits that let formulators test hundreds of VII combinations virtually before production.

6. Consolidation and Licensing Are on the Rise

As R&D costs rise, several players are forming joint ventures to co-develop VII platforms or licensing proprietary polymer technologies to smaller additive blenders. This not only speeds up commercialization but also helps maintain quality across markets with different standards.

Bottom line: VIIs are moving from commodity chemicals to engineered solutions. The innovation lens has shifted from “thicker oil at high temp” to “smarter oil that lasts longer, flows better, and fits tighter specs.” This is pushing chemical firms to innovate not just products — but also the way they formulate and deliver them.

 

4. Competitive Intelligence and Benchmarking

The viscosity index improvers market is relatively consolidated at the top, with a handful of global chemical majors and lubricant additive specialists setting the pace. But the competitive dynamics aren’t just about who controls the supply. It’s also about who’s innovating on polymer architecture, application-specific customization, and regulatory adaptability.

Lubrizol Corporation Still considered the benchmark player in lubricant additives, Lubrizol has a wide portfolio of VIIs — from OCP-based modifiers for mass-market oils to advanced PMA formulations for premium synthetics. The company collaborates closely with OEMs and formulators, often delivering additive packages customized for regional fuel economy standards and HTHS targets.

Lubrizol’s core strength is integration : from molecule synthesis to field testing, they control the whole innovation loop. Their new line of EV-focused viscosity improvers is already being piloted in e-transmission fluids across Asia and North America.

 

Infineum A joint venture between Shell and ExxonMobil, Infineum offers highly engineered VIIs designed for both automotive and industrial oils. Their focus is on polymethacrylate (PMA) chemistry and the development of shear-stable, fuel-efficient lubricants. Infineum’s strategic edge lies in its tight OEM alignment — particularly in Europe and Japan — and its emphasis on low-viscosity, energy-efficient formulations.

They’ve also been one of the earliest to pivot toward carbon-neutral additive technologies , including bio-derived VIIs and water-based synthesis routes.

 

Afton Chemical Afton brings a strong presence in North America and Asia, focusing on balanced cost-performance offerings. Their viscosity modifiers are known for versatility — widely used across PCMO (passenger car motor oil), HDDEO (heavy-duty diesel engine oil), and industrial lubricants.

Afton has recently expanded its R&D in transmission fluids , driven by the rise in hybrid and dual-clutch transmissions. They’re also working on nano -stabilized polymer blends aimed at improving longevity in gear oils and marine applications.

 

Evonik Industries A specialist in high-purity PMAs, Evonik serves the more technical end of the market — targeting fluids used in aviation, robotics, and high-temperature industrial applications. Their VIIs are prized for chemical precision and long drain life , especially in synthetic base oils and specialty lubricants.

What makes Evonik unique is their materials science background — they bring a deeper level of polymer engineering compared to broader additive firms. They're currently investing in thermally adaptive VIIs that adjust flow characteristics in real-time, a promising concept for smart lubrication systems.

 

BASF While not as dominant in VIIs as in base chemicals, BASF offers selective VI products under its lubricant solutions portfolio. Their angle? Sustainability and scale . BASF is investing in bio-based copolymers and is actively pursuing OEM partnerships in emerging markets where fluid stability under load is a growing issue.

They’ve also begun developing VIIs with enhanced dispersancy , allowing for fewer total additives in the final lubricant — a selling point for formulators under pressure to simplify blends.

 

Shenyang Great Wall Additives Co. (China ) This company is an increasingly visible player in the Asia-Pacific region. While not yet a global heavyweight, they supply cost-effective OCP VIIs and are expanding into custom blends for industrial gear oils and automotive fluids in India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

Their competitive advantage lies in localization and pricing flexibility , allowing them to undercut Western competitors in developing markets.

 

5. Regional Landscape and Adoption Outlook

The global viscosity index improvers market doesn’t grow in lockstep across regions. What drives adoption in one geography — say, emission norms — might be totally irrelevant in another, where industrial resilience or lubricant affordability takes priority. Let’s unpack how this plays out across major regions.

Asia Pacific: Volume Leader, Value Shifter

Asia Pacific dominates global demand, accounting for over 40% of global consumption in 2024. China, India, Japan, and Southeast Asia collectively power this lead — not just because of their auto markets, but due to massive industrial and commercial lubricant consumption.

China is moving fast toward higher-performance VIIs , especially in electric vehicles and construction equipment. Local formulators are aligning with GB standards that increasingly mirror EU specs, which boosts demand for shear-stable PMAs and premium OCP blends.

India, on the other hand, remains more price-sensitive but is seeing a sharp uptick in multigrade oil adoption thanks to Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) norms. This has pulled even mid-tier lubricant brands toward VI-enhanced formulations.

Japan and South Korea continue to push innovation, especially for hybrid-compatible and EV-specific fluids . Local OEMs are integrating VI-specific specs into new transmission designs.

Insight: Asia isn’t just growing in volume — it’s upgrading in complexity. As OEMs in China and India tighten standards, value-added VIIs are gaining more ground than low-cost fillers.

North America: Performance-Led, EV-Driven

North America has long favored high-quality VIIs , largely due to its well-established synthetic lubricant base and regulatory focus on fuel economy . The U.S. CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards continue to push lubricant formulators toward lower-viscosity, longer-lasting oils.

Commercial fleets — particularly long-haul trucks — are pushing the demand for ultra-shear-stable modifiers to extend oil drain intervals. The region is also ahead in EV lubricant adoption , which requires VIIs that perform under high torque, lower temperatures, and electrically sensitive environments.

Canada follows similar trends but places added emphasis on cold-weather viscosity control , creating a niche for tailored PMAs that offer better flow at sub-zero temps.

Europe: Sustainability and Specification First

Europe is a mature but highly demanding market. Regulatory bodies like ACEA and OEMs such as Volkswagen, Daimler, and PSA have specific lubricant specs that practically require advanced VI improvers.

Fuel economy, emission compliance, and sustainability are the big themes here. Bio-lubricants and Group III base oils are becoming more popular — and VIIs must keep up with their unique solubility and volatility profiles .

Germany, France, and the Nordics are also pushing lifecycle analysis in lubricant sourcing , which is putting pressure on suppliers to develop VIIs with lower environmental impact .

Eastern Europe presents a split landscape — some countries are adopting premium lubricants rapidly, while others remain reliant on legacy mono-grade fluids with minimal additive load.

Bottom line: In Europe, the VII isn’t a booster — it’s a qualifier. If it doesn’t meet spec, it doesn’t go in.

Latin America, Middle East & Africa (LAMEA): Functional, but Fragmented

These regions are catching up. In Latin America, Brazil leads in multigrade lubricant adoption, thanks to its auto manufacturing base and local emissions mandates. Mexico is also a fast riser, especially with U.S. lubricant exports bringing VI-enhanced formulations into the local aftermarket.

In the Middle East, GCC countries are upgrading their lubricant infrastructure for high-temperature industrial operations. The need for thermal stability and long-life fluids in extreme climates gives VI improvers a strong use case — particularly in synthetic blends used in oil & gas, logistics, and energy sectors.

Africa, meanwhile, remains heavily underserved. Mono-grade oils are still dominant, and import dependency limits access to advanced additive packages. That said, some multinationals are piloting blending plants in Nigeria and Kenya , which could open the door for regional VI demand in the coming years.

 

6. End-User Dynamics and Use Case

Viscosity index improvers aren’t bought for their own sake — they’re embedded into fluids that end users depend on every single day. The real demand drivers come from what those users need their lubricants to do — last longer, flow better, perform under stress, and meet OEM or regulatory specs. Let’s break down the core end-user segments and how their needs shape the VII market.

1. Automotive OEMs and Lubricant Blenders

These are the primary force behind custom VII demand. Vehicle manufacturers now co-develop lubricant specs with additive suppliers, especially for factory-fill and warranty-approved oils. As engines get downsized and turbocharged, multigrade engine oils with high-shear stability are non-negotiable.

OEMs like Ford, Toyota, and Volkswagen are setting strict low-viscosity targets (e.g., 0W-20 or even 0W-8), and achieving these requires VIIs that don’t shear down during engine cycles. Transmission designs — especially CVTs and dual-clutch setups — also demand fluid consistency under torque . That’s where PMAs and hybrid VIIs are gaining traction.

For formulators, the goal is to meet global specs with fewer SKUs. This makes versatile, shear-stable VIIs a major asset.

2. Commercial Fleet Operators

Truck fleets and heavy-duty vehicle operators rely on extended oil life and fewer breakdowns. Their biggest ask? Maximized uptime with minimal fluid changes.

They favor high-HTHS oils that use reinforced OCP or HSD-based VIIs , capable of withstanding long-haul routes, heat cycles, and idling without thinning out. These users are also early adopters of condition-based monitoring systems , which can detect viscosity degradation — putting pressure on additives to hold up longer.

As electrification slowly enters the fleet space, early hybrid truck models are testing custom fluids with VIIs optimized for low-temp startups and regenerative braking heat.

3. Industrial Equipment and Factory Operators

In industrial settings, lubricants face mechanical shock, variable load, and continuous operation. Here, VIIs support hydraulic fluids, gear oils, and turbine lubricants that need to remain consistent across 24/7 heat and pressure changes.

For example, in automated steel mills or robotic assembly lines, a fluctuation in oil viscosity could halt operations or damage parts. Industrial buyers increasingly prefer VIIs that offer high thickening efficiency with low treat rates — especially in Group III or synthetic base oils .

Shear stability and oxidation resistance are key — often more than price.

4. Marine and Energy Sector

In shipping, offshore drilling, and wind energy, fluids must perform across long intervals with extreme environmental exposure. Multinational energy firms use VIIs in gearbox oils, hydraulic systems, and turbine lubrication , particularly when reliability under duress is critical.

Some newer wind turbine OEMs are specifying low-viscosity, high-stability oils for cold-start performance in remote regions — pushing VI requirements beyond automotive norms.

5. Specialty & Niche End Users

These include aerospace fluid formulators, defense vehicle suppliers, and high-performance racing teams. While they represent a smaller slice of volume, they often pay a premium for VIIs that deliver on thermal stability and ultra-low shear loss .

Use Case Spotlight:

A tier-1 lubricant blender in Germany recently re-engineered its 0W-20 synthetic motor oil for a global automaker launching a hybrid SUV line in North America and Japan. The spec demanded high cold- crankability (for -30°C starts), tight volatility control, and an HTHS of 2.7 mPa·s .

To meet all three, the blender switched from a standard OCP to a proprietary PMA-based VII that allowed for lower viscosity while improving oxidation stability. Field tests across 1.2 million kilometers showed a 38% increase in shear resistance, and fuel economy improved by 2.5%. This not only secured the OEM contract but also led to API SP+ and ILSAC GF-6 approvals.

End users don’t care about VIIs directly — they care about what the lubricant does. But behind every premium oil spec or longer maintenance interval is a viscosity modifier doing the heavy lifting.

 

7. Recent Developments + Opportunities & Restraints

Recent Developments (Last 2 Years)

1. Lubrizol launched a shear-stable PMA platform in late 2023 aimed at ultra-low viscosity engine oils. The new polymers are designed for compatibility with Group III+ base oils and target extended drain intervals in hybrid vehicles.

2. Afton Chemical introduced a VII package optimized for e-transmission fluids in Q2 2024. The blend supports thermal regulation under rapid torque shifts and works with both mineral and ester-based synthetic oils.

3. Evonik unveiled a polymerization breakthrough in PMA design at the 2024 ICIS Lubricant Additives Conference. The new architecture enhances cold-weather fluidity without sacrificing thickening efficiency.

4. Infineum announced a strategic partnership with a major Japanese OEM to co-develop viscosity modifiers tailored to dual-motor EV platforms. Field trials began in early 2025 with a focus on lifetime fluid stability.

5. BASF expanded its R&D center in Ludwigshafen to include a pilot line for bio-based VI polymers , aiming to bring new sustainable solutions to the lubricant additive market by 2026.

 

Opportunities

1. Electrification-Driven Fluid Design EVs may not need engine oil, but they do require a new generation of transmission and thermal fluids . These fluids must perform under unique stress profiles — low viscosity at startup, high resistance to torque, and minimal shear thinning. VIIs that deliver these traits will become core to EV lubricant formulations.

2. Regional Upgrading of Lubricant Standards From Bharat Stage VI norms in India to the shift toward API SP and ILSAC GF-6 globally, new regulatory baselines are raising the bar for multigrade oil performance. This opens the door for higher-volume adoption of PMA- and hybrid-based VI improvers.

3. VIIs in Industrial Predictive Maintenance Systems As more factories move toward IoT -enabled lubricant monitoring , the pressure is on VIIs to hold up over longer cycles and under variable loads. Additive suppliers that can align with sensor-based maintenance will gain a performance-marketing edge.

 

Restraints

1. Cost Pressures on Advanced Polymers High-performance VIIs — especially PMAs with enhanced shear resistance — come at a premium. For many budget-sensitive markets, these costs are hard to justify, particularly in non-OEM-specified applications.

2. Limited Interoperability with Emerging Base Oils Newer Group IV/V and bio-based base oils often introduce solubility and stability challenges for traditional OCP and PMA VIIs. Without targeted R&D, some VIIs may lose effectiveness or require reformulation — a costly process for mid-sized lubricant blenders.

To be honest, this market isn’t constrained by demand — it’s constrained by alignment. The polymers exist. The needs are real. The challenge is bridging cost, spec, and compatibility without overengineering or overpricing the solution.

 

7.1. Report Coverage Table

Report Attribute	Details
Forecast Period	2024 – 2030
Market Size Value in 2024	USD 3.18 Billion
Revenue Forecast in 2030	USD 4.24 Billion
Overall Growth Rate	CAGR of 4.9% (2024 – 2030)
Base Year for Estimation	2024
Historical Data	2019 – 2023
Unit	USD Million, CAGR (2024 – 2030)
Segmentation	By Polymer Type, By Application, By End User, By Geography
By Polymer Type	Olefin Copolymer (OCP), Polymethacrylate (PMA), Hydrogenated Styrene-Diene (HSD)
By Application	Engine Oils, Transmission Fluids, Hydraulic Fluids, Gear Oils
By End User	Automotive OEMs & Aftermarket, Commercial Fleets, Industrial Equipment Operators, Marine & Energy
By Region	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa
Country Scope	U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, China, India, Japan, Brazil, GCC, South Africa
Market Drivers	- Transition to low-viscosity, high-performance lubricants - Surge in EV and hybrid drivetrain fluid needs - Upgrading lubricant specs across emerging markets
Customization Option	Available upon request