Castrol

What Castrol does

Castrol is a 126-year-old global lubricants and fluid engineering company headquartered in Sunbury-on-Thames, United Kingdom, with operations in approximately 120 countries and a workforce of over 7,000 employees organized across eleven divisions. The company sells engine oils, transmission fluids, greases, coolants, hydraulic fluids, and specialized lubricants across automotive, commercial vehicle, two-wheeler, industrial, marine, aerospace, and space applications; its flagship brands include Castrol EDGE, Castrol MAGNATEC, Castrol GTX, Castrol VECTON, Castrol CRB, Castrol POWER1, Castrol Activ, and Castrol Braycote (space-grade lubricants). The Castrol ON sub-brand has extended the portfolio into electric vehicle thermal fluids, e-transmission fluids, EV greases, and direct-to-chip and immersion cooling fluids for AI data centers, including the OCP Inspired certified Castrol ON PG 25 product.

Underlying technology centers on proprietary lubricant formulation, additives chemistry, and application engineering. The Castrol Technology Centre in Pangbourne, Berkshire, houses specialist R&D, and differentiated formulations include System Pro Technology (commercial vehicle diesel oils delivering up to 45% higher performance versus API and ACEA requirements), dielectric and direct liquid cooling fluids for data center thermal management, re-refined base oils developed with Renault (15% carbon footprint reduction), and space-grade Braycote lubricants used on NASA Apollo, Mars exploration, and Artemis Programme missions. Quality and durability claims are validated through long-drain OEM approvals (up to 120,000 km from MAN, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and Renault).

Castrol monetizes primarily through one-time product sales of lubricants and engine oils, sold via authorized distributors and Castrol-branded service workshops; recurring data center cooling fluid revenue through partnerships with technology integrators; and licensing/royalty flows from motorsport sponsorships and OEM co-developed products. The company reaches motorists directly through product finders, Castrol Service workshops, and brand ambassador campaigns (e.g., Ronda Rousey), while enterprise customers are served through OEM partnerships with vehicle manufacturers (Audi, Renault, Gogoro), industrial accounts, and fleet programs. Ownership is transitioning from BP plc (which acquired Castrol via Burmah-Castrol in 2000) to a Stonepeak-led consortium at a $10.1 billion enterprise value, with a closing expected by end of 2026.

Name

Castrol

Legal name

Castrol Ltd

Website

https://www.castrol.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1899

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Castrol is a global lubricants and fluid engineering company selling engine oils, transmission fluids, EV fluids, and data center liquid cooling fluids across automotive, commercial, industrial, marine, aerospace, and space customers in approximately 120 countries, currently transitioning ownership from BP to Stonepeak at a $10.1 billion enterprise value.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Lubricants

NAICS

Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing (324191), Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing (324)

SIC

Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive Lubricants & Fluids (IMAEAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial & Heavy-Duty Lubricants (IMAEAMAB), Marine Lubricants Supply & Services (Cylinder/System Oils) (TLAHAKAJ), Gear Oils & Transmission Fluids (IMAEAMAE), Retail & E-commerce Lubricants Sales (Auto Parts, Quick Lube, Online) (EUALAJAF)

Keywords

• Motor oils and lubricants
• Automotive engine oils
• Industrial lubricants
• EV thermal fluids
• Data center cooling fluids

Headquarters

HQ city

Sunbury-on-thames

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Lubricants and engine oils: Sale of automotive, commercial vehicle, two-wheeler, and industrial lubricants through distributors, service centers, and OEM partnerships. Revenue from Castrol EDGE, MAGNATEC, GTX, VECTON, CRB, POWER1, and Castrol ON product lines.
2. Data center cooling solutions: Direct liquid cooling fluids, immersion cooling fluids, and fluid management services for data centers. Castrol ON products sold to data center operators and through partnership channels.
3. Motorsport sponsorships and OEM fluids: Supply of lubricants and fluids to motorsport teams (Audi F1, Aprilia Racing, Honda MotoGP, LCR Honda) and co-development of OEM-specific products with vehicle manufacturers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Castrol manufactures and sells branded lubricants, oils, greases, transmission fluids, EV fluids, and direct liquid cooling fluids for automotive, commercial vehicle, two-wheeler, industrial, marine, aerospace, and data center thermal management applications. Its portfolio spans consumer motor oils, OEM-approved factory-fill products, heavy-duty commercial lubricants, marine oils, Braycote space-grade lubricants, and OCP-inspired data center cooling fluids, sold through distributors, Castrol Service workshops, and direct B2B channels.

Product overview

Castrol is a global lubricants company offering a diverse portfolio of oils, fluids, and related products across automotive, commercial vehicle, two-wheeler, marine, industrial, aerospace, and data center cooling sectors. The core product lines include Castrol EDGE (premium synthetic motor oil), Castrol MAGNATEC (engine oils with intelligent molecules), and Castrol GTX for passenger cars; Castrol VECTON and Castrol CRB for commercial vehicles; Castrol POWER1 and Castrol Activ for two-wheelers; and Castrol ON for electric vehicle fluids including thermal management, transmission fluids, and greases. The Castrol ON sub-brand has expanded into data center liquid cooling with direct-to-chip and immersion cooling fluids. Marine products include Castrol MHP, Castrol TLX, and Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants. Supporting services include the Castrol Fleetmasters platform for fleet management and a Product Finder Tool. Castrol also supplies specialized space-grade lubricants like Castrol Braycote for NASA missions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Castrol EDGE: Premium synthetic motor oil brand
• Castrol MAGNATEC
• Castrol GTX
• Castrol ON
• Castrol VECTON
• Castrol CRB
• Castrol POWER1
• Castrol Braycote
• Nexcel
• Castrol Fleetmasters

Products and services

• Castrol motor oils and engine lubricants Branded consumer and OEM-approved engine oils for passenger cars, motorcycles, and light commercial vehicles, sold through retail, Castrol Service workshops, and OEM factory-fill channels.
• Castrol EV fluids (electric vehicle transmission and thermal fluids) Specialty transmission fluids and thermal management fluids engineered for electric vehicle powertrains, targeted at automotive OEMs developing EV platforms.
• Castrol industrial lubricants Lubricants, hydraulic fluids, and greases for industrial machinery, manufacturing equipment, and heavy-duty commercial applications, sold through B2B direct and distributor channels.
• Castrol marine lubricants Marine engine oils, cylinder lubricants, and related fluids for commercial shipping fleets and marine operators.
• Castrol Braycote space-grade lubricants Specialty Braycote lubricants formulated for aerospace and space-grade applications, including vacuum and extreme-environment lubrication requirements.
• Castrol data center direct liquid cooling fluids OCP-inspired single-phase immersion and direct liquid cooling fluids engineered for AI and high-density compute workloads in hyperscale and enterprise data centers.
• Castrol Service workshop services Branded vehicle servicing offered through the Castrol Service workshop network, providing oil change and maintenance services to motorists using Castrol products.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 45% higher performance vs API and ACEA requirements
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and regional.

• Audi F1 Team (Audi Revolut F1 Team)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2026Castrol collaborating with Audi to develop bespoke lubricants and EV fluids for Formula 1's 2026 regulation reset. Co-developed Castrol Edge engine oil for Audi AFR 26 Hybrid power unit, full fluid strategy including gearbox oil, hydraulic fluid, and ERS fluid.
• INNOVO and LiquidStackflagshipTechnology or Integration · 16 February 2026Partnership to develop UAE's first modular AI-ready liquid-cooled data center announced at Capacity Middle East. Combines modular data center design with direct-to-chip liquid cooling technology, with completion expected April 2026.
• Lunar OutpostflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2026Three-year collaboration on Lunar Voyage 1 (LV1) mission delivering first commercial rover to lunar South Pole. Castrol provided space-grade lubricants for MIT Media Lab's AstroAnt payload and technical expertise for Mission Control center in Colorado.
• Kernow OilsregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 7 January 2026Kernow Oils designated as Castrol Commercial Vehicle Partner, extending from Industrial Ambassador Distributor into commercial vehicle sector. Exclusive access to Castrol commercial vehicle lubricants, deeper technical collaboration with R&D teams.
• Aprilia Racing MotoGP TeamflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Castrol became factory title sponsor of Aprilia Racing MotoGP Team, replacing Repsol after 30 years. Part of Castrol's major motorsport sponsorship push across Formula 1 and MotoGP.
• Renault GroupcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 29 December 2025Launched co-branded premium engine oil range (Renault Castrol GTX) using re-refined base oils. First automotive manufacturer to offer complete range of recycled-content oils as official branded product. Reduces carbon footprint by 15%.
• GogororegionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Expansion of partnership to Vietnam e-scooter market. Gogoro provides design and technology; Castrol authorized to market and sell vehicles. Joint venture from February 2025 includes pilot e-scooter logistics team.
• Electronic Cooling Solutions (ECS)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Castrol ON invested in ECS as part of liquid cooling strategy for data centers, addressing complexity of coordinating fluid systems across thermal management value chain.
• Unicom EngineeringcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Collaboration with Unicom Engineering for liquid cooling deployment, part of Castrol ON's ecosystem approach to data center thermal management.
• ITOCHU and ITOCHU Techno-SolutionsregionalTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Signed Memorandum of Understanding to develop liquid cooling deployment models in Japan, expanding Castrol ON's presence in Asian data center markets.
• myTVSregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with India's digital-first aftermarket platform offering branded service experiences under 'myTVS Recommends'. myTVS operates 1,100+ multi-brand service centers across 250+ towns, partnered with 20+ vehicle manufacturers.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Shell Lubricants: Shell is one of the world's largest lubricants suppliers by volume, marketing Shell Helix, Rimula and Pennzoil across passenger car, commercial vehicle and industrial applications. It competes directly with Castrol in global OEM approvals and service-center distribution.
• ExxonMobil (Mobil 1): Mobil 1 is ExxonMobil's flagship premium synthetic motor oil brand and a direct head-to-head competitor to Castrol EDGE in PCMO, with parallel heavy-duty and industrial lubricant lines and significant OEM specification wins.
• Chevron Lubricants: Chevron's Havoline, Delo and Techron-branded lubricants overlap directly with Castrol EDGE, Castrol VECTON and Castrol CRB in passenger car motor oil and heavy-duty diesel engine oils globally.
• TotalEnergies Lubricants: TotalEnergies markets Total Quartz and Rubia engine oils alongside industrial lubricant ranges, competing with Castrol across automotive, commercial vehicle and industrial segments with similar OEM partnership models.
• Fuchs Petrolub: Fuchs is the world's largest independent lubricants specialist, with strong positions in industrial and automotive lubricants across more than 50 countries, directly mirroring Castrol's diversified end-market and OEM co-development strategy.
• Valvoline: Valvoline is a focused, publicly traded lubricants company selling premium motor oils, industrial lubricants and operating company-owned quick-lube service centers in the U.S., making it a close comparable to Castrol's branded retail and service workshop model.

Regional players

• PETRONAS Lubricants: PETRONAS markets Syntium and other lubricant brands across more than 80 countries with particular strength in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa, overlapping with Castrol's geographic footprint in those regions.
• PetroChina (Kunlun Lubricants): PetroChina's Kunlun lubricant brand is one of the largest domestic lubricants producers in China, competing with Castrol in Asia-Pacific passenger car motor oil and industrial markets.
• Lukoil Lubricants: Lukoil's Genesis and other lubricants brands serve CIS, Eastern European and selected international markets, making it a regional comparable to Castrol where their geographies overlap in commercial vehicle and industrial lubricants.
• Sinopec Lubricants: Sinopec's Great Wall lubricants brand is the dominant lubricants supplier in mainland China with growing international exports, competing with Castrol primarily across Asia-Pacific markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Castrol
• Facebookfacebook.com/castrol
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/castrol

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Castrol