What Unil Opal does

Unil Opal is a privately-held French SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée) industrial lubricants manufacturer founded in 1994, headquartered and producing at a single industrial site in Saumur, France. The company designs, manufactures, and commercializes a complete range of engine oils, hydraulic fluids, greases, sprays, transmission fluids, heat-transfer fluids, insulating oils, metalworking fluids, and specialized lubricants (including biodegradable and food-grade options) exclusively for professional customers across automotive, heavy-duty transport, agriculture, public works, 2-wheel, marine, sawmill, metalworking, and food-processing sectors. Its catalog spans 1,426+ SKUs organized under eleven registered brand families (OPALPERF, OPALJET, PALLAS, XANTHOS, ANDEROL, TITANIUM, THERM X, THERMOPLEX, SUPER MANDRIN, HYDROEUROBIO, KUTILUB Bois), and the company holds triple certification for Quality, Safety, and Environment audited by Intertek, plus REP regulatory identifiers (CITEO, CYCLEVIA, ECO DDS) and a European Ecolabel for HYDROEUROBIO. Selected products carry OEM-specific approvals (BMW LL-19 FE, SCANIA LDF-3/4/5, MAN 3977, PSA B71 2290, Renault RN 17, Stellantis, Volvo VDS-3, Mack EO-N, Mercedes-Benz 228.5).

The business model is a sales-led B2B motion targeting professional buyers. Primary revenue comes from direct hardware-style sales of lubricants priced via a published tariff (free delivery above €400 HT, €40 HT transport fee below, €6 HT billing fee, 30-day payment terms). A secondary revenue stream comes from being the exclusive French distributor of MAC NAUGHT lubrication equipment (pumps, grease guns, drum/barrel equipment, rewinders, separators) under a 5-year warranty. A third layer of value-added services — oil analysis, lubrication control plans, technical assistance, and financial contracts — supports product selection and customer retention rather than functioning as a stand-alone SaaS or analytics business. Distribution is via the company's own e-commerce platform for France and a dedicated export department for international markets, supplemented by participation in trade shows such as SEPEM and Global Industrie. The company does not disclose revenue, has no public funding events, and operates with no disclosed M&A or institutional investor involvement; Eric Thomas is identified as the director of sites overseeing publication and operations.

Name

Unil Opal

Legal name

Unil Opal

Website

https://unil-opal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Unil Opal is a French manufacturer of industrial oils and lubricants serving exclusively professional customers across automotive, heavy-duty transport, agriculture, construction, marine, food processing, and metalworking sectors, with 1,426+ SKUs and exclusive MAC NAUGHT equipment distribution in France.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Lubricants

NAICS

Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing (324191)

SIC

Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive Lubricants (PCMO, HDMO, ATF, Gear Oils, Coolants) (EUALAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Greases & Specialty Lubricants (Greases, Pastes, Chain Oils, Silicone/Fluoro) (EUALAJAJ), Industrial & Heavy-Duty Lubricants (IMAEAMAB), Lubricant Testing, Certification & Technical Services (Labs, OEM approvals, QA/QC) (EUALAJAL)

Keywords

• Industrial lubricants manufacturing
• Automotive engine oils
• Hydraulic fluids production
• Industrial greases supplies
• Professional lubrication solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Saumur

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Lubricant and Oil Sales: Sale of complete ranges of lubricants including engine oils (OPALPERF, OPALJET, PALLAS brands), industrial lubricants, hydraulic fluids, greases, and specialized products for automotive and industrial applications.
2. Equipment and Materials Sales: Sale of lubrication equipment including oil/grease pumps, drum/barrel equipment, grease guns, rewinders, oil separators, and accessories. Exclusive distributor of MAC NAUGHT products in France.
3. Technical Services: Technical assistance, oil analysis services, control/lubrication plans, and financial contracts supporting product sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Unil Opal designs, manufactures, and sells complete ranges of industrial and automotive lubricants — including engine oils, hydraulic fluids, greases, heat transfer fluids, 2-stroke oils, metalworking fluids, and specialty products such as biodegradable and food-grade lubricants — exclusively for professional customers. The company also distributes MAC NAUGHT lubrication equipment in France and offers technical services such as oil analysis, lubrication control plans, and technical assistance.

Product overview

Unil Opal is a manufacturer of industrial oils and lubricants serving exclusively professional customers. The product portfolio spans automotive engine oils (OPALPERF, OPALJET, PALLAS series), 2-stroke oils (2T SPECIALE, 2T TERRA), industrial hydraulic fluids (HYDROEUROBIO), heat transfer fluids (THERM X series), greases (SUPER MANDRIN, THERMOPLEX, ZAHLIT), metalworking fluids, maintenance oils, biodegradable products, and dedicated solutions for sectors including agriculture, marine, woodworking (KUTILUB BOIS), and food processing. The company also distributes Macnaught lubrication equipment. Products are distributed across three main categories: AUTOMOTIVE (passenger cars, heavy duty, 2-wheels, agriculture, construction, marine), INDUSTRY (metalworking, hydraulics, maintenance, greases, food processing, biodegradable), and MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT (pumps, guns, separators).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OPALPERF: Passenger car engine oil brand including products like OPALPERF ENERGY FE 0W30, OPALPERF FE-HY 0W16
• OPALJET
• PALLAS
• SUPER MANDRIN
• ANDEROL
• HYDROEUROBIO
• Kutilub Bois
• TITANIUM
• XANTHOS
• THERM X
• THERMOPLEX

Products and services

• OPALPERF FE-HY 0W16 100% synthetic low-viscosity engine oil developed for hybrid passenger car engines requiring very low viscosity to reduce CO2 emissions, suitable for Suzuki, Subaru, and Toyota hybrids.
• OPALPERF ENERGY FE 0W30 High-performance synthetic motor oil compliant with BMW LL-19 FE specification for improved energy efficiency, recommended for Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC applications.
• OPALJET ASTRIUM 5W30 100% synthetic motor oil designed for Stellantis group passenger vehicles requiring the Stellantis motor oil specification.
• OPALJET MIL-X17 5W30 100% synthetic passenger car motor oil meeting PSA B71 2290 and Renault RN 17 approvals, with API SP standard protection against LSPI-related engine damage.
• PALLAS LD-5 MS 5W20 Heavy duty engine oil with very low HTHS viscosity that optimizes fuel efficiency while ensuring long-lasting engine protection, approved by SCANIA for LDF-5 and MAN for 3977.
• PALLAS 850 5W30 Fuel eco heavy duty engine oil particularly suitable for Scania engines, meeting EURO VI emission standards with SCANIA LDF-4 approval.
• LCM 850 10W40 Heavy duty engine oil designed for Euro V engines with extended oil change intervals up to 100,000 km, approved by SCANIA LDF-3, MACK, MAN, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, and Volvo.
• SUPER MANDRIN High-performance grease based on low-viscosity synthetic oil and barium complex soap, ideal for machine tool chucks operating at high rotational speeds with excellent mechanical stability and corrosion protection.
• KUTILUB BOIS Lubrication solution for wood saw blades formulated with synthetic food-grade ester (NSF HX1), ideal for sawmills, cooperages, and cardboard industries.
• HYDROEUROBIO Biodegradable hydraulic oil with European Ecolabel certification recognized by AFNOR, limits environmental impact and user health risks, operational up to 80 degrees C with low pour point and high viscosity index.
• XANTHOS Series (10W40, Lite 10W40, Ultra 10W40, Ultra 15W40) Multi-functional semi-synthetic and synthetic lubricants (STOU type) for agricultural tractors, farming machinery, and public works equipment across all seasons.
• Titanium 10W30 / Titanium 10W40 Semi-synthetic high-performance motorcycle oils formulated for 4-stroke motorcycle engines in all seasons.
• Racing 10W60 100% synthetic oil recommended for competition 4-stroke motorcycles operating at high temperatures across a wide range of RPM.
• RACE MB 5W50 Full synthetic oil with exceptional performance for high-performance 4-stroke motorcycles.
• 2T SPECIALE Semi-synthetic 2-stroke engine oil.
• 2T TERRA Biodegradable synthetic lubricant for air-cooled 2-stroke engines.
• AD BLUE Aqueous urea solution at 32.5% for selective catalytic reduction in diesel engines.
• THERM X Series (32, 46, 100, 460) Mineral heat transfer fluids with high thermal stability for industrial heating applications.
• THERMOPLEX Multi-purpose high-performance extreme pressure grease for industrial applications with extended temperature range.
• VOLT TR.7 Insulating oil with high characteristics for filling electrical equipment including transformers, circuit breakers, rheostats, and capacitors.
• Macnaught Equipment Range Oil and grease pumps, drum/barrel equipment, grease guns, rewinders, and oil separators distributed exclusively in France by Unil Opal, covered by 5-year guarantee.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced CO2 emissions with low-viscosity engine oils
• +2 more outcomes

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• MAC NAUGHTcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor of MAC NAUGHT lubrication equipment in France. MAC NAUGHT products include oil/grease pumps, drum/barrel equipment, grease guns, and rewinders. Products carry a 5-year guarantee ensuring optimum lifespan for professional users.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Repsol Lubricantes y Especialidades: Spanish integrated oil major's lubricants division producing automotive motor oils, industrial lubricants, and greases. Competes in similar European automotive aftermarket and industrial lubricant channels.
• Fuchs Petrolub: Germany-based global leader in industrial lubricants and automotive specialties. Overlaps with Unil Opal's industrial oils, greases, and metalworking fluids, serving similar European industrial and automotive customers.
• TotalEnergies Lubrifiants: Major French-headquartered oil major producing the TotalEnergies/Elf ranges of automotive and industrial lubricants. Directly overlapping with Unil Opal across PCMO, HDMO, greases and industrial fluids in France and export markets, but with vastly larger scale and OEM relationships.

Direct peers

• Addinol Lube Oil: German specialty lubricant manufacturer offering automotive, industrial, food-grade (USDA/NSF), and biodegradable lubricants. Closely comparable mid-sized European player with overlapping food-grade, biodegradable, and industrial ranges.
• Liqui Moly: German mid-sized independent lubricant and additive manufacturer serving workshops, automotive, and industrial markets with motor oils, gear oils, greases and additives — a comparable private, brand-led European lubricant specialist.
• Motul: French-independent lubricant manufacturer specializing in engine oils, two-wheeler lubricants, and industrial fluids. Closely comparable mid-sized private French blender competing in the same automotive and specialty lubricant categories.
• Millers Oils: UK-based independent blender of synthetic engine oils, transmission fluids, and specialty industrial lubricants targeting motorsport, classic, and professional users. Comparable mid-sized niche lubricant manufacturer competing in specialty and OEM-approved products.
• Bardahl: French-founded independent lubricant and additive manufacturer serving automotive, industrial and motorsport segments globally. Comparable independent French/European player with similar B2B/distributor-led go-to-market.

Emerging players

• Wolf Oil Corporation: Belgian independent lubricant blender producing engine oils, industrial lubricants, and greases under the Wolf, Champion, and other brands for the European aftermarket. Similar mid-sized peer with comparable product breadth and B2B/B2C channel mix.

Regional players

• Igrol Lubricants / Blaye Group: Mid-sized French independent blender of industrial lubricants, metalworking fluids, greases, and maintenance oils. Comparable regional European lubricant specialist competing in industrial and metalworking niches.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/unil.opal.france

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Unil Opal