Lubricants, Asphalts, and Specialized Products
The Lubricants business
performed commercial transactions
in more than 90 countries
In 2017, the Lubricants, Asphalts, and Specialized Products area continued its growth and internationalization strategy with commercial operations in more than 90 countries.
The sale of lubricants grew 3% in Spain and 17% in international markets. Sales of bitumens for asphalts grew 1.8% and sales of special asphalt products 10%. Additionally, historical maximums were recorded in sales of Group I and II base oils, with 101% growth.
| Thousand tons | |||||
| Country | Lubricants | Asphalts | Specialties(1) | 2016 Total | 2017 Total |
| Spain | 86 | 313 | 257 | 637 | 656 |
| Europe | 24 | 347 | 253 | 607 | 624 |
| Africa | 2 | - |
238 | 281 | 240 |
| America | 18 | - |
7 | 34 | 25 |
| Asia and Oceania | 31 | - |
47 | 57 | 78 |
| Sales to Traders | - | 203 | - | 200 | 203 |
| Total | 161 | 863 | 802 | 1,816 | 1,826 |
- Includes mainly lubricant bases, extensor oils, sulfur, paraffin and propellant gases.
In line with our Company's 2016-2021 Strategic Plan, production and distribution of lubricants began in Thailand and Mexico, and a new range of highest-quality Repsol Moto lubricants was launched; developed at the Repsol Technology Center.
In terms of our partnerships, we signed agreements with Honda and Kymco (Spain), and SK Lubricants (South Korea), for the use of our lubricants. In India, we launched the first synthetic product for motorcycles, Repsol Moto 4T Synthetic 10W-60.
Additionally, a third production shift was implemented in order to support the growth envisaged in the strategic plan. Together with investments to improve capacity, this change allowed Repsol to obtain a production of 127,000 metric tons. The objective is to obtain up to 170,000 metric tons per year by 2021.
In 2017, we began supplying asphalt emulsions for road preservation works in Morocco and producing waxes for rubber in China.