ELF Lubricants

What ELF Lubricants does

ELF Lubricants is a global lubricants brand operated as part of TotalEnergies' Marketing & Services division (TotalEnergies Lubricants), with heritage tracing to the 1970 founding of Entreprises Lubrifiants de France and over 50 years of expertise in lubricant innovation. The brand manufactures and sells a comprehensive portfolio spanning engine oils, transmission fluids, brake fluids, motorcycle lubricants, racing products, agricultural equipment oils, and hydraulic fluids for passenger cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses, racing vehicles, and industrial applications. Core technology platforms include ELF Advanced Synthetic Technology, Low SAPS (Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus, Sulphur) formulations for post-treatment system compatibility, and the industry's first dedicated range of electric motor fluids introduced in 2019. The Solaize Research Center (CReS) and three R&D laboratories in Europe and Asia, supported by $1 billion in cumulative R&D investment, drive product development; the brand holds extensive OEM approvals (Renault, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, VW) and compliance certifications (API, ACEA, JASO, ISO, FMVSS).

The business operates a dual-channel go-to-market model combining direct retail (Amazon marketplaces, ELF e-commerce catalog) with a B2B distribution network spanning global distributors, resellers, the ELF Expert Premium Service Center workshop chain, and ELF Labeled Garages. Revenue is generated primarily through lubricant product sales (hardware) plus OEM partnership relationships where ELF serves as the recommended or approved lubricant supplier (most notably the 40+ year Renault partnership and motorsport collaborations with Alpine, Kawasaki, Marc-VDS, and KTM). Approximately 50 factories worldwide support the brand's global manufacturing footprint. Quantified performance claims include up to 4% fuel savings with the EVOLUTION Full Tech range, extended drain intervals of up to 150,000 km for heavy-duty vehicles, 50% reduction in particulate emissions, and nearly 10x reduction in NOx emissions compared to historical baselines. Brand visibility is heavily reinforced through motorsport sponsorships in FIA World Endurance Championship, MotoGP, World Superbike, and karting.

Name

ELF Lubricants

Legal name

TotalEnergies Lubricants

Website

https://elf.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ELF Lubricants is a global TotalEnergies-owned brand manufacturing engine oils, transmission fluids, brake fluids, and specialty lubricants for passenger vehicles, motorcycles, commercial trucks, motorsport, and industrial applications, distributed through global retailers, distributors, and ELF Expert service centers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Lubricants

NAICS

Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing (324191)

SIC

Wholesale-Petroleum & Petroleum Products (No Bulk Stations) (5172), Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Lubricants (Hydraulics, Gear, Compressor, Turbine, Metalworking) (EUALAJAG), Retail & E-commerce Lubricants Sales (Auto Parts, Quick Lube, Online) (EUALAJAF), Industrial & Heavy-Duty Lubricants (IMAEAMAB), Fuel Additives & Lubricant Additives (IMAEAMAL)

Keywords

• Engine lubricants
• Motor oil
• Transmission fluids
• Brake fluids
• Motorcycle lubricants

Headquarters

HQ city

Nanterre, France

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Lubricant Product Sales: Primary revenue from manufacturing and selling engine oils, transmission fluids, brake fluids, and specialty lubricants for cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses, and racing applications. Products sold through distributors, resellers, Amazon, and ELF Expert workshops.
2. B2B OEM Partnerships: Revenue from supplying lubricants as approved products for automobile manufacturers (e.g., Renault partnership over 40 years) and through aftermarket professional networks.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ELF Lubricants manufactures and sells a comprehensive range of engine oils, transmission fluids, brake fluids, hydraulic fluids, and specialty lubricants for passenger cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses, agricultural equipment, and motorsport applications. The brand operates as the lubricants division under TotalEnergies, distributing through global distributors, resellers, Amazon, and a network of ELF Expert certified workshops, while also supplying OEM-approved products to automobile manufacturers.

Product overview

ELF Lubricants is a global lubricants brand under TotalEnergies, offering a comprehensive portfolio of lubricant products across multiple vehicle and equipment categories. The product portfolio is organized into distinct product lines: (1) Car Products including the EVOLUTION range (900, 700, 500, 300 series) with various viscosity grades for passenger cars with gasoline and diesel engines; (2) Motorcycle Products under the MOTO brand including MOTO 4 GOLD, MOTO 4 TECH, MOTO 4 RACE, SCOOTER, and OFF-ROAD variants; (3) Truck & Buses Products including the PERFO HDX series for commercial vehicles; (4) Racing Products under the HTX range including HTX 830, HTX 740, HTX 320, HTX 909, and specialized race engine oils; (5) Transmission Fluids including ELFMATIC (CVT, G3, MV LV), TRANSELF, and GEARELF product lines; (6) Brake Fluids including FRELUB and MOTO BRAKE FLUID products; (7) Motorcycle Care Products including fork oils, chain paste, degreasers, and silicone sprays; (8) Agricultural Equipment Oils including AGRITEC and HYDRAULIQUE lines; (9) Hydraulic Fluids including HYDROGRADE and ELFOLNA DS. The products serve diverse applications from passenger vehicles to heavy-duty commercial vehicles, motorcycles, racing, and industrial equipment, with technology platforms spanning synthetic, semi-synthetic, and mineral-based formulations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ELF Evolution: High-performance motor oil range including Evolution 900 FTX, Evolution 700, Evolution 500, and Evolution Full-Tech variants for passenger cars
• ELF MOTO
• ELF HTX
• ELF ELFMATIC
• ELF TRANSELF
• ELF PERFO
• ELF FRELUB
• ELF GEARELF
• ELF VENT VERT
• ELF Expert

Products and services

• ELF Car Products Complete range of lubricants for passenger cars including the EVOLUTION series (900, 700, 500, 300), transmission fluids (ELFMATIC, TRANSELF, RENAULTMATIC), and brake fluids (FRELUB). For passenger vehicle owners and professional workshops.
• ELF Motorbike Products Complete range of lubricants for motorcycles including OFF-ROAD, SCOOTER, RACER, RIDER, and TOURER sub-ranges, plus fork oils, coolants, brake fluids, chain pastes, degreasers, and silicone sprays. For motorcycle owners and workshops.
• ELF Truck & Buses Products Lubricants range for trucks and buses including PERFO HDX engine oils and transmission fluids designed for extended drain intervals up to 150,000 km and heavy-duty commercial use.
• ELF Racing Products High-performance lubricants for racing and competition including HTX 830, HTX 740, HTX 320, HTX 909, HTX CHRONO, HTX 3820, HTX 3835, and HTX 725 racing products for Formula 1, MotoGP, World Superbike, karting, rally, and hill climb.
• EVOLUTION 900 FTX 5W-30 Top performance motor oil using ELF Advanced Synthetic Technology for lubrication of gasoline passenger car engines with direct or indirect injection, multi-valve, and turbo-charge technologies.
• EVOLUTION 700 TURBO DIESEL 10W-40 High performance synthetic based motor oil especially developed for Diesel car engines, especially adapted to modern technology Diesel engines with direct injection with or without Common Rail.
• EVOLUTION FULL-TECH MSX 5W-30 Very high performance lubricant using ELF Advanced Synthetic Technology for all Gasoline and Diesel car engines, formulated to ensure compatibility with post-treatment systems.
• EVOLUTION FULL-TECH LLX 5W-30 Top low ash and long drain interval lubricant that optimizes after-treatment systems with outstanding oxidation resistance.
• ELFMATIC CVT High performance continuously variable transmission fluid designed for service fill used in many Asian, North American and European designed vehicles, suitable for all belt and chain CVTs.
• ELFMATIC G3 Automatic transmission fluid particularly adapted to heavy duty and passenger car applications, recommended for all automatic transmissions and hydraulic systems when the manufacturer requires ATF GM DEXRON III.
• TRANSELF SYN FE 75W-140 Recommended for lubricating mechanical gearboxes and axles differentials in the most heavily loaded conditions with excellent cold weather gear-shifting.
• FRELUB 650 High performance synthetic brake fluid especially formulated for hydraulic brake systems to ensure safe braking in the most severe conditions.
• HTX 830 Racing 4-Stroke Dedicated engine lubricant for car and motorbike engines, delivering exceptional performance and wear resistance for racing applications.
• HTX 909 Racing 2-Stroke Engine lubricant designed for extreme RPMs, protecting against wear and tear in 2-stroke racing engines with synthetic ricin formulation.
• MOTO 2 OFF ROAD Lubricant recommended for all types of 2-stroke engine motorcycles for driving through urban traffic as well as rural conditions and for the most severe off road use.
• MOTO FORK OIL SYN 10W Fork and shock absorber oil providing maximum safety even in harsh use, suitable for road and off-road motorcycles.
• VENT VERT 10W-50 Tailor made lubricant to meet the requirements of Kawasaki motorcycles.
• AGRITEC 15W-40 High performance lubricant designed for turbocharged or naturally aspirated engines used in tractors and agricultural machines.
• HYDROGRADE 1 Hydraulic fluid with very high viscosity index and shear resistance.
• ELF MCO Motorcycle Range New motorcycle lubricant range expanding ELF's motorcycle product portfolio with additional formulations for motorcycle applications.
• ELF Maintenance and Moto Care Products New maintenance and moto care products for motorcycle owners including chain pastes, degreasers, air filter oils, silicone sprays, and multi-purpose lubricants.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 4% fuel savings with ELF EVOLUTION Full Tech range
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• RenaultcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1970Over 40-year strategic partnership with Renault. ELF develops products specifically designed for Renault engines, including specifications AN2022, RN17, RN0700, RN0710, and RN720. ELF is the recommended lubricant brand for Renault vehicles.
• AlpinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlpine ELF Endurance Team competes in FIA World Endurance Championship. Partnership includes A110 rally and endurance racing vehicles with ELF lubricants powering the team.
• Kawasaki Racing TeammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in World Superbike Championship providing ELF MOTO lubricants for Kawasaki racing motorcycles.
• Marc-VDS Racing TeammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMotoGP partnership where ELF became title sponsor and technical partner for the Marc-VDS Racing Team.
• KTM Factory RacingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with KTM Factory Racing team in MotoGP for technical lubricant development.
• Winfield Racing SchoolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Winfield Racing School for driver development and motorsport education. Winfield x ELF Future Ignited program.
• E-Motion x The GridminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership focused on electric mobility and digital content for motorsport enthusiasts.
• CLX MotorsportminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with CLX Motorsport for racing activities and brand visibility.
• DGR (Distinguished Gentleman's Ride)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal partner of DGR Distinguished Gentleman's Ride - annual motorcycle charity event bringing together riders worldwide.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Castrol: Castrol is BP's lubricants brand and the most direct competitor to ELF, offering a comparable portfolio of engine oils, transmission fluids, brake fluids, and motorsport-focused products (including F1 partnerships). Both brands target automotive, motorcycle, and industrial segments with similar OEM-approval strategies and motorsport-led premium positioning.
• Motul: Motul is a French-headquartered lubricants specialist directly competing with ELF in motorsport (MotoGP, F1, WRC) and synthetic lubricants for cars and motorcycles. Both brands have strong racing heritage, premium synthetic positioning, and similar OEM and motorsport team partnerships.
• Liqui Moly: Liqui Moly is a German specialty lubricants brand competing with ELF in synthetic motor oils, motorcycle lubricants, and additives. Both brands emphasize premium positioning, motorsport association, and German/European OEM approvals.
• Mobil 1: Mobil 1 (ExxonMobil) is a global synthetic lubricants leader directly competing with ELF in passenger car engine oils, motorsport partnerships (NASCAR, F1), and OEM approvals. Both brands emphasize advanced synthetic technology and racing-driven brand credibility.
• Valvoline: Valvoline is a US-headquartered lubricants manufacturer competing with ELF in passenger car motor oils, heavy-duty lubricants, and OEM approvals. Both brands offer comprehensive product ranges with emphasis on engine protection and fuel economy claims.

Broad incumbents

• Fuchs Petrolub: Fuchs Petrolub is a German-headquartered global lubricants manufacturer competing with ELF in industrial, automotive, and specialty lubricant segments. Fuchs operates numerous regional brands and competes particularly in European OEM approvals and industrial hydraulic applications.
• Petronas Lubricants: Petronas Lubricants is the global lubricants arm of Petronas, competing with ELF across passenger car, motorcycle, and heavy-duty segments with strong F1 motorsport positioning and broad OEM approvals. Petronas's larger scale and emerging market reach overlap with ELF's strategic priorities.
• Shell Helix / Pennzoil: Shell's lubricants portfolio (Shell Helix, Pennzoil, Shell Rotella) competes with ELF across passenger car, motorcycle, and heavy-duty segments. Shell is a much larger incumbent with broader retail distribution and stronger mass-market brand presence, but with overlapping synthetic engine oil technology and motorsport sponsorships.
• TotalEnergies Lubricants (parent portfolio): TotalEnergies operates multiple lubricant brands (ELF, Total Quartz, Hi-Performer) under one umbrella. While ELF is part of this portfolio, the broader TotalEnergies lubricants division competes with Shell, Castrol, and Mobil at scale, providing context for ELF's market position within its parent group.

Emerging players

• ENEOS: ENEOS (JX Nippon Oil & Gas) is a Japanese lubricants major with growing global ambitions in synthetic engine oils and motorsport partnerships. ENEOS competes with ELF in OEM approvals (Japanese manufacturers) and emerging EV thermal management fluids.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/elflubricants
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elflubricants
• Instagraminstagram.com/elflubricants/?hl=fr

Compliance45 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 ELF Lubricants