SIC 2992 Lubricating Oils and Greases

Contenidos

• NAICS CODE(S).
• INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT.
• ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE.
• Product Overview.
• INDUSTRY LEADERS.
• AMERICA AND THE WORLD.
• FURTHER READING.

SIC 2992

This category includes establishments primarily engaged in blending, compounding, and re-refining lubricating oils and greases from purchased mineral, animal, and vegetable materials. Petroleum refineries engaged in the production of lubricating oils and greases are classified in SIC 2911: Petroleum Refining.

NAICS CODE(S)

324191

Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing

INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT

Slow growth continued to bedevil the mature U.S. lubricants industry into the early 2000s. Sales rose moderately from $6.30 billion in 2002 to $7.62 in 2004, then increased dramatically to $10.06 in 2005. There were 354 establishments engaged in the production of petroleum lubricating oil and grease, most of which were in Texas, followed by Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and Florida. Manufacturers of lubricating oils and greases employed 10,646 people in 2005. Just 5,634 of these were production workers, who earned an average hourly wage of $22.50.

The fastest-growing segment continued to be synthetic and synthetic blend lubricants. Although they represented only 11 percent of the market, synthetic product sales were expected to continue to rise. Synthetics have gained popularity because they are longer lasting and less toxic than conventional lubricants.

In a similar vein, an area under development was eco-friendly vegetable-oil lubricants. These new compounds, which blend a variety of familiar oils such as canola and soybean, were touted as being nontoxic and renewable, thereby greatly reducing the environmental impact of producing and disposing of lubricants. Furthermore, some research indicates vegetable-based lubricants can perform better in motor vehicle engines and other applications than their petroleum-based counterparts.

Safety was also an issue in the mid-2000s. In 2004 the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association aligned with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to protect workers from industrial hazards in the manufacturing industry and promote measures available to reduce possible health risks from exposure to lubricants and metalworking fluids. The alliance planned to develop training and education programs on the safe and proper use of lubricant products.

ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE

Manufacturers in this industry compete directly with...