Overview of Synthetic Base Stocks

Of the total world wide synthetic base stock volume, over 80% are represented by three classes of materials  

Esters, including dibasic ester and polyol esters (25%) Polyalkyleneglycol (PAG) (10%) 

As expected, the major producers of PAO, esters, PIB and alkylaromatics are integrated petroleum eompanies that supply conventional mineral oil base stocks and petrochemicals as well as various synthetic base stocks. PAG, phosphate esters and silicone fluids are manufactured by chemical companies that produce these fluids on a much larger scale mainly for other applications. Their use as lubricant base stocks is only a fraction of the total market. Table 1 summarizes the major synthetic base stock producers. 

Synthetic Base Stock Major Manufacturer Relative price  

PAO ExxonMobil Chemical Co., BP, Chevron Phillips Chemical Co., Fortum 4 

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