What proof should I ask for before approving a detergency package?

Ask for independent engine test evidence aligned to current GDI and injector cleanliness requirements. Also ask how treat rates are controlled at terminals and audited over time.

How do I reduce risk when switching suppliers for deposit control additives?

Run side by side field trials across at least two terminals and two seasons. Require a written transition plan for dosing equipment, operator training, and off spec response steps.

What matters most for diesel additives in tight sulfur and lubricity conditions?

Look for demonstrated lubricity performance, water handling, and stability under storage time. Confirm compatibility with aftertreatment systems and the intended biodiesel blend level.

How should I evaluate additive readiness for SAF blends in aviation fuel?

Focus on materials compatibility, oxidation stability, and storage behavior in realistic logistics chains. Ask for clear guidance on blending variability and contamination sensitivity.

Which supplier capabilities best predict on time approvals across regions?

Multi region production, consistent QA methods, and a track record of third party validation tend to matter most. Strong local technical service also reduces startup failures at terminals.

What early warning signs suggest treat rate control problems?

Rising filter plugging events, drifting injector deposit results, and inconsistent fuel economy claims are common signals. You should also watch for frequent recalibration needs at dosing skids.

Top Fuel Additives Companies - Key Players & More

AFTON CHEMICAL

Fuel specs are tightening fastest where GDI engines dominate new vehicle sales. Afton, a top manufacturer, has responded with new TOP TIER+ certified gasoline performance additive series and a dedicated additive positioned for hydrogen heavy duty engines, signaling breadth beyond legacy detergency. Compliance is helped by clear EPA registration pathways for detergent chemistries, which narrows room for unproven blends. If hydrogen ICE pilots scale in fleets, Afton could gain early switching costs through OEM aligned validation. The main operational risk is balancing global treat rate support with localized fuel variability and terminal handling discipline.

Leaders

Infineum International Limited

Marine fuel stability is a hard test of additive credibility because problems show up onboard. Infineum, a major supplier, strengthened its position by securing independent performance recognition from Lloyd's Register for marine fuel additives, which can reduce buyer risk in a segment shaped by IMO driven fuel changes. Its 2025 updates highlight ISCC PLUS progress at a production site, supporting lower carbon claims without forcing customers into a single feedstock path. If shipping shifts further into blended and low sulfur fuels, Infineum can package operability and storage stability into a clearer value story. The weakness is exposure to marine cycle timing and long qualification lead times.

Leaders

The Lubrizol Corporation

Injector cleanliness is becoming a measurable promise, not a slogan. Lubrizol, a leading vendor, is pushing new gasoline detergency aligned to TOP TIER+ and also advancing diesel solutions aimed at soot control and reduced DPF events, which fits tighter emissions oversight in both road and non road use. If TOP TIER+ adoption expands beyond early adopters, Lubrizol can convert testing know how into multi region approvals faster than smaller peers. A key risk is execution friction from multi site supply consistency, because treat rate errors and contamination events can quickly erode buyer trust.

Leaders

BASF

Regulators are pushing detergent performance from "meets minimum" toward "meets modern engine reality." BASF's Keropur gasoline performance additive series was positioned as TOP TIER+ certified, with commercialization plans staged ahead of the January 2027 deadline noted in its release. The differentiation is chemistry that targets injector deposits and pre ignition risk while staying aligned with U.S. compliance expectations. A realistic upside scenario is refiners standardizing a single approved package across multiple terminals to simplify audits. The limiting factor is that rollouts depend on manufacturing upgrades and customer changeover planning, which can slow near term conversion.

Established

Chevron Corporation

Terminal reliability often decides who keeps an additive nomination. Chevron, a major player, through Chevron Oronite, took a final investment decision to expand its lubricant additive footprint in Ningbo, improving regional supply optionality near large refining and export corridors. The policy tailwind is stronger emissions enforcement that raises the cost of injector fouling and deposit claims. If Asia Pacific fuel quality dispersion persists, Chevron can win with consistent treat rate control and logistics discipline rather than novel chemistry. The key risk is that large asset projects tie up capital and can limit flexibility if demand shifts faster toward electrification and lower liquid fuel volumes.

Established

Innospec

Margins matter when treat rates are small and support needs are large. Innospec, a leading service provider, reported that its Fuel Specialities unit delivered 2024 operating income growth and maintained gross margins near the top of its target range, which signals disciplined pricing and mix management. It also expanded production capacity for drag reducing agents, showing willingness to fund chemical output where demand is durable. If renewable fuel blending expands in more regions, Innospec can bundle additive support with field service to reduce customer trial burden. The risk is spreading technical teams too thin across fuel, non fuel, and oilfield priorities.

Established

Clariant

Chemical restrictions are increasingly shaped by "what is not allowed," not only by performance targets. Clariant completed a transition to a PFAS free additive portfolio as of December 2023, anticipating tighter global constraints and helping customers avoid future reformulation shocks. The strategic posture leans toward safer chemistries and portfolio resilience rather than aggressive volume chasing. If regulators accelerate bans and disclosure rules, Clariant can turn compliance readiness into preferred vendor status for risk sensitive buyers. The weak point is that fuel focused depth can appear thinner than specialist peers, so buyer wins may depend on partnerships and targeted niches.

Performers

Evonik Industries AG

Sustainability claims now need plant level proof, not only product brochures. Evonik shifted remaining PU additive production assets to green electricity in 2025, reinforcing a lower emissions operating stance that some fuel and lubricant customers increasingly ask to see. Its oil additives platform also frames portfolio changes around measurable footprint reduction, which can support procurement scoring in large accounts. If additives buying criteria move toward carbon accounted sourcing, Evonik can gain even with moderate volume. The risk is that restructuring and portfolio reshaping can distract technical teams from fast customer driven reformulations.

Performers

Lanxess

Verified low carbon variants are moving from optional to expected in additives buying. Lanxess, a major supplier, released an ISCC PLUS certified version of Additin RC 2515 in 2025 and tied it to certified site capability, which supports auditable claims and a lower product carbon footprint. Financial performance in 2025 also benefited from improved efficiency, which can protect R&D budgets through down cycles. If cold flow and lubricity needs grow with more blended fuels, Lanxess can translate lubricant additives expertise into adjacent fuel uses. The risk is slower qualification in fuel programs versus lubricant programs, which delays scale.

Performers

Baker Hughes Company

Fuel adjacent chemicals can be attractive when they are tied to measurable throughput gains. Baker Hughes won a multi year award in 2025 to supply drag reducing agents for offshore pipelines serving the U.S. Gulf Coast and also noted related U.S. manufacturing capacity expansion. That capability can matter to refiners and terminals because flow efficiency and system cleanliness affect delivered fuel quality outcomes. If midstream constraints tighten, chemical enabled capacity wins can pull spending even in softer fuel cycles. The risk is limited brand pull in classic fuel additive nominations, so growth depends on bundled service execution.

Aspirants

Cargill Incorporated

Biofuel growth changes additive demand by changing fuel variability, not by reducing it. Cargill moved to expand corn ethanol capacity in Brazil in 2025, reinforcing its role in supply chains where E10 to E85 compatibility and oxidation control become practical issues for downstream users. The best fit is pairing feedstock knowledge with additive partners who can manage stability and deposit risks in blended gasoline. If blending mandates tighten in new countries, Cargill can gain influence as a convenor between producers and additive formulators. The weakness is limited direct visibility into additive package performance compared with dedicated additives firms.

Aspirants

Dorf Ketal Chemicals

Acquisition integration can be a growth lever when it expands real technical capability. Dorf Ketal, a key supplier, broadened its footprint through acquisitions, including Impact Fluid Solutions in 2024, which can extend formulation know how and customer access in hydrocarbon related chemistries. Earlier, it also acquired Fluid Energy Group's modified and synthetic acid business, adding another set of industrial chemistries under its umbrella. If refiners and blenders demand more multi function packages, Dorf Ketal could compete on customization speed. The operational risk is uneven global quality systems across acquired sites, which can slow approvals for sensitive fuel applications.

Aspirants

Exxon Mobil Corporation

Strategic focus matters because fuel additives need sustained field support. ExxonMobil's 2025 corporate plan emphasized higher value fuels and performance chemicals alongside cost and emissions intensity targets, which can indirectly support additive related know how and funding capacity. Policy pressure on emissions and durability can raise demand for proven detergency and stability, even as total fuel volumes face long term headwinds. If low carbon fuels scale unevenly, ExxonMobil can stay relevant by aligning additive needs with its broader product solutions agenda. A key risk is that additive priorities can be diluted inside a very broad portfolio.

Aspirants

TotalEnergies

Jet fuel transition plans will reshape additive requirements, especially around storage stability and materials compatibility. TotalEnergies signed SAF related partnerships in 2024, including a supply arrangement with Airbus and a plan with Sinopec to build a SAF unit in China, signaling continued focus on aviation liquids. If SAF blending expands faster than expected, the company can influence specifications and handling practices that drive additive selection upstream. The downside is that additive value capture may sit with specialists unless TotalEnergies builds deeper in house formulation and testing capacity. Execution risk rises when feedstock availability and policy incentives swing sharply.

Aspirants

Fuel Additives Companies: Leaders, Top & Emerging Players and Strategic Moves

Top 5 Fuel Additives Companies

Fuel Additives Companies Matrix by Mordor Intelligence

MI Competitive Matrix for Fuel Additives

Analysis of Fuel Additives Companies and Quadrants in the MI Competitive Matrix

AFTON CHEMICAL

Infineum International Limited

The Lubrizol Corporation

BASF

Chevron Corporation

Innospec

Clariant

Evonik Industries AG

Lanxess

Baker Hughes Company

Cargill Incorporated

Dorf Ketal Chemicals

Exxon Mobil Corporation

TotalEnergies

Frequently Asked Questions

Methodology

Analysis of Leading Fuel Additives Companies