Innovation is blossoming throughout Asia-Pacific, with major in-region Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) deploying a wide variety of new technologies to meet escalating regulatory standards and end-user needs. Oil marketers must keep the pace, delivering solutions that allow new technology to meet its full potential.

It’s why Lubrizol has a well-established local presence to continue building strong relationships that drive ongoing collaboration and deliver innovative, market-specific solutions. Here is a look at some of the latest developments having an impact throughout the region, what it means for oil marketers doing business there and how we’re leveraging our local presence to help our customers succeed.

Meeting Stringent New Requirements in HD

China’s recently deployed D1 heavy-duty engine oil specification marks a bold new chapter in the industry as the first locally developed lubricant specification tailored specifically to Chinese OEM needs. While Chinese lubricants have traditionally followed international API standards, growing divergence in domestic engine hardware prompted the need for a native approach.

D1 provides an alternative evaluation method for oil performance, grounded in China V-type hardware, and was not explicitly developed to address the latest China VI emission requirements. Most current China V/VI engines continue to perform well using API CK-4 oils, and there is no pressing regulatory mandate for a new oil specification.

Instead, D1 represents a foundational step toward local innovation, featuring engine tests that reflect Chinese market realities. And though there remains room to improve testing quality and clarity, the specification paves the way for a new era of oil performance—one that requires breakthrough additive innovations.

To satisfy the new requirements, Lubrizol has developed its Lubrizol^® CV1150 additive, which recently passed all D1 engine tests—making it Lubrizol’s first additive technology to satisfy both API CK-4 and D1. To date, Lubrizol CV1150 has been fully commercialized by Lubrizol’s China team, based on an in-depth understanding of the D1 specification and real technical challenges. Additionally, Lubrizol CV1150 is a low-aftertreatment impact product, which makes it an ideal fit for the next-generation emission regulation (China VII).

Solutions for Hydrogen Mobility

New legislative measures throughout the region have prioritized the development of hydrogen-powered vehicles, especially in China. Indeed, hydrogen represents one of the most promising alternative fuel solutions.

But hydrogen transportation represents a largely unexplored new horizon for both government bodies and OEMs—and throughout Asia-Pacific, there has been a clear open call for innovation from all stakeholders. Oil marketers are tasked with the challenge of developing formulations tailored to the unique parameters of hydrogen-powered engines.

To meet these changing needs, Lubrizol has developed Lubrizol^® CV1150 for hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine (ICE) technology. Lubrizol leveraged its relationships with local OEMs to identify key challenges and how to solve them. The additive was co-developed alongside the ICE hardware and has been thoroughly evaluated in laboratory settings, engine test rigs and real-world road testing.

A few OEMs have adopted the solution as a potential oil for full commercialization. The formulation strategy and key performance features of the product were defined by local formulators and took shape in Lubrizol’s Zhuhai, China, and Kinuura, Japan, laboratories.

Cross-Region Collaboration

Many new applications—including electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) hydrogen-fueled ICE and more—are heavily reliant on regional policies. This means market-specific innovation must be responsive to these needs, making local-for-local development critically important to capture new and emerging opportunities.

However, cross-collaborative innovation remains essential throughout Asia-Pacific. For example: While Japanese OEMs do business throughout the region, core technological development is still centered in Japan. For that reason, new oil development in China or Southeast Asia requires cooperation with OEM teams in Japan.

Lubrizol’s Kinuura laboratory plays a unique role in this process. Utilizing its extensive mechanical testing capability and expertise, hardware from other countries is sent to Kinuura to run Japanese OEM required tests, which helps to expedite and facilitate the production of solutions throughout the region.

Lubrizol is dedicated to the Asia-Pacific marketplace, developing innovative solutions that have their roots in local market needs. These are just some of the examples of how we are continuing to invest in our customers’ success, today and tomorrow.