While India’s lubricants industry volumes grow at 3–4%, premiumisation is driving value growth of 6–7%. That gap between volume and value — that is precisely where Gulf Oil sees its biggest opportunity, says its MD & CEO Mr. Ravi Chawla.
The automotive industry is undergoing significant transformation, driven by technology, sustainability goals, changing consumer preferences, and evolving mobility ecosystems. For lubricant manufacturers, the next few years will be about adapting to multiple powertrain technologies while continuing to deliver higher performance and efficiency, Mr. Chawla said.
“In the immediate term, geopolitical uncertainty, crude oil price volatility, and INR depreciation continue to pressure base oil and raw material costs. FY26 tested every company’s agility — navigating election-related uncertainties and fluctuating input costs. Through timely price adjustments and a strong focus on supply security, Gulf delivered strong volume-led growth, outperforming industry growth by over 2-3x — consistent with our long-standing track record, supported by a resilient business model, focused strategy, and brand strength,” he said.
A key trend is the shift towards higher technology lubricants. BS-VI vehicles, rising SUV penetration, longer drain intervals, and increased use of synthetic and semi synthetic oils are driving demand for premium products. The company has supported this shift through innovations such as long drain engine oils and premium motorcycle lubricants offering up to 10,000 km drain intervals, he mentioned.
The Journey Ahead
The company’s Unlock 2.0 strategy is anchored on three pillars: Accelerate, Premiumise, and Transform. Innovation drives Gulf’s product roadmap — from multi-fuel lubricants for LNG, biodiesel, and hydrogen applications to high-performance synthetics for wind turbines. Data centre cooling is another high-potential frontier, where specialised fluids are critical for thermal management. As India’s digital infrastructure scales, demand for precision cooling fluids is set to surge.
“Beyond lubricants, we are building a future ready mobility ecosystem. Through Tirex, we crossed ₹100 crores in revenue during FY26 and are targeting ₹300 to ₹400 crores over the next 3 – 4 years, while continuing to expand our charging solutions portfolio and localisation capabilities. Our aspiration is that by the end of the decade, Gulf will be recognised not only as a leading lubricant company but also as a trusted mobility solutions partner across conventional and electric mobility ecosystem,” Mr. Chawla added.
“The company is investing ₹55 crores to expand manufacturing capacity by nearly 70% across Chennai and Silvassa, backed by one of its largest global R&D facilities in Chennai.”