Industrialization of lubricant in China: Problems and challenges
In the field of intelligent manufacturing and high-end equipment, lubricant as a key material to ensure the efficient and stable operation of all kinds of mechanical equipment, its importance is self-evident. Global lubricant market demand continues to rise, China as the world's largest lubricant production and marketing country, the annual output of more than 20 million tons, the market consumption is as high as 7 million tons. However, behind this huge figure, there is a hidden problem of "big but not strong" and "big but not excellent" industrial development.
At present, China's lubricant market pattern shows a three-legged situation. Foreign high-end lubricant enterprises represented by Shell and Mobil, with their advanced research and development strength and brand effect, firmly occupy the leading position in the high-end market. While state-owned enterprises such as Sinopec and petrochina, as well as listed private enterprises such as Uni-President and Loonpan, although they have advantages in market share, they are mainly concentrated in the middle and low-end market, which is difficult to compete with international brands.
In-depth analysis of the current situation of lubricant industrialization in China, it is not difficult to find the following major problems:
1. Insufficient capacity for technological innovation. Domestic lubricant manufacturers have insufficient investment in the technical development of new high-end lubricants and lubricating additives, resulting in serious product homogeneity and lack of core competitiveness. At the same time, the basic research and application basic research in lubricating additives and lubricants are weak, making China's lubricant products difficult to compete with international brands in terms of high performance and long life.
2. Lack of forward design ability. In the process of product research and development, domestic lubricant manufacturers often lack systematic independent forward design capability and scientific evaluation standard system of high-end lubricants. This makes it difficult for enterprises to respond quickly and launch innovative products that meet market demand when facing changes in market demand.
Third, the industrial chain coordination is not enough. There is no effective cooperative mechanism in the supply of raw materials, research and development of technology, production and marketing in China's lubricant industry. This leads to poor information transmission between upstream and downstream enterprises in the industrial chain, low resource utilization efficiency, and it is difficult to form a joint force to promote the overall upgrading of the industry.
In response to the above problems, China's lubricant industry needs to improve from the following aspects:
First, we need to increase investment in technological innovation. Enterprises are encouraged to strengthen the technological research and development of new high-end lubricants and lubricating additives to improve the technical content and added value of products. At the same time, strengthen basic research and applied basic research to improve the overall technical level of China's lubricant industry.
Secondly, establish the independent forward design capability of the system for high-end lubricants. By strengthening industry-university-research cooperation, the establishment of a scientific evaluation standard system will enhance the independent design ability of enterprises in the process of product research and development. This helps enterprises better grasp the changes in market demand and launch innovative products that meet the market demand.
Finally, strengthen industrial chain coordination. Establish a collaborative mechanism between upstream and downstream enterprises in the industrial chain, strengthen information sharing and resource integration, and improve the operational efficiency of the entire industrial chain. At the same time, strengthen cooperation and exchanges with international advanced enterprises, introduce advanced technology and management experience, and promote the overall upgrade of China's lubricant industry.
In short, China's lubricant industry is facing huge market opportunities at the same time, but also facing many challenges. Only by increasing investment in technological innovation, establishing systematic independent forward design capabilities for high-end lubricants, strengthening industrial chain coordination and other measures can we promote the high-quality development of China's lubricant industry.
