01 Growing Development of Viscosity Modifiers for Electric Drive Fluids The viscosity index improvers market is expanding beyond conventional engine oils as electric drivetrains create different lubricant requirements. Electric drive fluids must combine viscosity control with thermal management, electrical compatibility, and low mechanical losses because the lubricant can interact closely with motors, gears, and other electrical components. Polymer architecture therefore needs to support efficiency without compromising protection across changing operating temperatures. Development of EV-specific lubricant chemistry is becoming an important part of viscosity index improvers market trends. In March 2025, Evonik presented new research on viscosity index improvers for directly cooled electric drives, evaluating how viscosity profiles affect electric-drive efficiency. The work assessed EV fluids containing viscosity modifiers at typical treat rates of approximately 0.5–10% used within lubricant formulations.
02 Increasing Shift Toward Ultra-Low-Viscosity Engine Oils Automotive lubricant formulations are moving toward lower viscosity grades to reduce internal friction and improve fuel economy while still protecting increasingly sophisticated engines. This creates greater technical demands on viscosity index improvers because oils must remain fluid during cold starts while retaining adequate film strength at high operating temperatures. Advanced polymer structures allow formulators to achieve this wider temperature-performance window without excessively increasing additive concentration. Ultra-low-viscosity formulation is consequently expanding the viscosity index improvers industry toward higher-performance polymer systems. In October 2025, Shell introduced 3 advanced automotive lubricants, including new synthetic transmission and engine-related formulations incorporating viscosity improvers. The portfolio included a 75W-90 synthetic gear oil engineered with high-quality base oils, viscosity improvers, and a specialized additive package.
01 Introduction of Stricter Engine-Oil Performance Standards New engine-oil specifications are increasing the importance of precise viscosity control because lubricants must simultaneously support fuel economy, low-temperature pumpability, engine cleanliness, wear protection, and compatibility with modern emission systems. Meeting these requirements requires carefully engineered viscosity modifiers capable of maintaining lubricant properties throughout the oil's service life. As lubricant blenders reformulate products to satisfy newer specifications, demand for advanced polymer additives increases. Changing performance standards are therefore strengthening viscosity index improvers market demand.
01 Greater Availability of High-Viscosity Base Stocks Can Reduce Additive Requirements Improved base-stock technology can reduce the amount of polymeric viscosity improver required in selected formulations. High-viscosity and high-viscosity-index base oils provide formulators with greater inherent viscosity control before an additive package is introduced. Where technically suitable, this can enable manufacturers to achieve targeted lubricant properties with lower viscosity-modifier treat rates, creating substitution pressure on additive consumption per unit of finished lubricant. Advances in premium base stocks can therefore restrain viscosity index improvers market growth in certain applications.
01 Expansion of High-Efficiency Hydraulic Fluids for Industrial Equipment High-viscosity-index hydraulic fluids can reduce internal leakage and mechanical losses while improving equipment productivity. Construction, mining, agricultural, and manufacturing machinery therefore provide an expanding application base for specialized polymer additives. Energy-efficient hydraulics can help suppliers increase viscosity index improvers market share beyond automotive lubricants.
01 Maintaining Polymer Performance Under Mechanical Shear Viscosity index improvers are long-chain polymers that can experience mechanical degradation when lubricants repeatedly pass through gears, bearings, pumps, and other high-shear components. Permanent polymer breakdown reduces the additive's thickening effect and can cause an oil to fall below its intended viscosity during service. Manufacturers must therefore balance thickening efficiency, molecular weight, low-temperature properties, and shear stability when designing new additives. Maintaining viscosity throughout prolonged mechanical stress remains a major technical challenge as viscosity index improvers market size expands into more demanding lubricant applications.
June 2026 Lubrizol introduced a new generation of high-performance viscosity modifier technology for heavy-duty engine oils, designed to support next-generation lubricant formulations meeting evolving fuel economy and durability requirements.
May 2026 Chevron Oronite expanded its lubricant additive manufacturing capabilities at its Singapore facility to strengthen the regional supply of viscosity index improvers and advanced engine oil additive packages for Asia-Pacific customers.
March 2026 Infineum launched a new viscosity modifier technology engineered for low-viscosity passenger car engine oils, supporting OEM requirements for improved fuel efficiency and extended lubricant performance.
October 2025 Afton Chemical introduced an advanced viscosity modifier additive package for heavy-duty lubricants, expanding its portfolio of lubricant solutions compatible with the latest global engine oil specifications.