How Synthetic Hot Rolling Oils Are Transforming Steel Mill Performance Worldwide

A major steel producer dramatically improved strip surface quality, roll life, and energy efficiency after transitioning from conventional mineral-based lubricants to advanced Synthetic Hot Rolling Oil in its high-speed hot strip mill. These fully formulated synthetic oils-typically based on polyalkylene glycols (PAGs), synthetic esters, and anti-wear/extreme-pressure additive systems-provide superior thermal stability, oxidation resistance, and lubricity at elevated temperatures exceeding 800 °C. Their clean-burning chemistry minimizes carbonaceous deposits, prevents roll scoring, and reduces roll-force requirements during hot deformation.

Compared with mineral oils that oxidize rapidly and leave heavy residues on rolls and strip surfaces, synthetic rolling oils deliver consistent film strength, reduced friction, lower scale adhesion, and improved lubrication performance under intense load and temperature gradients. This leads to fewer surface defects, longer roll-change intervals, reduced coolant system contamination, and better dimensional stability across high-volume steel and non-ferrous rolling operations.

The success of this upgrade highlights the crucial role of Synthetic Hot Rolling Oil in improving throughput, product quality, and long-term operating cost efficiency. QY Research has recently released an in-depth market analysis on this specialized lubricant category. Key findings are summarized below.

https://www.qyresearch.com/reports/5540624/synthetic-hot-rolling-oil

Core Market Data

Global market size: USD 1.05 billion
CAGR (2024-2030): 5.1%
Average price: USD 2700 per ton
Annual production: 390 kilotons
Gross margin: 27%
Production capacity: 470 kilotons

List of Main Players

TotalEnergies (France)
Quaker Houghton (USA)
FUCHS Lubricants (Germany)
Metalube (UK)
Motul (France)
Carl Bechem (Germany)
Kodiak Chemical (USA)
General Chemical (USA)
Petroyağ Lubricants (Türkiye)
Hindustan Petroleum (India)
Royal Purple (USA)
Schaeffer Manufacturing (USA)
ROWE Mineralölwerk (Germany)
Savita Oil Technologies (India)
Nanjing Kerun Lubricants (China)
ExxonMobil (USA)
Castrol (UK)
Petrofer (Germany)
Idemitsu Kosan (Japan)
JX Nippon Oil & Gas (Japan)

1. By Product Type

High-Temperature Hot Rolling Oil
Medium-Temperature Hot Rolling Oil
Low-Temperature Hot Rolling Oil

2. By Rolling Process

Boundary Lubrication Oil
Mixed Lubrication Oil

3. By End-Use Industry

Carbon Steel Hot Rolling
Stainless Steel Hot Rolling
Aluminum Hot Rolling
Copper/Brass Hot Rolling

Case Study for Bidding

Time: May 2024
Supplier: Quaker Houghton
Buyer: High-Capacity Steel Hot Strip Mill (Europe)
Product: Synthetic PAG-Ester Hybrid Hot Rolling Oil (High Thermal Stability, Low Residue)
Quantity: 21,500 tons
Contract Value: USD 62.1 million
Delivery Timeline: March 2025

Detailed Application Scenario

The steel mill incorporated Quaker Houghton's high-performance synthetic hot rolling oil into its finishing mill stands, where temperature, load, and surface-speed requirements are extremely demanding. The oil's enhanced lubricity and thermal resistance reduced roll friction and prevented scoring, resulting in improved surface finish and reduced edge cracking on rolled strip. Its synthetic formulation resisted oxidation and thermal breakdown, preventing varnish and coke buildup on roll surfaces and cooling headers.

Because the oil produced significantly fewer deposits, operators observed longer roll-life cycles, lower coolant contamination, and reduced maintenance shutdown frequency. Rolling force dropped measurably, leading to energy savings and more stable gauge control at high rolling speeds. The case demonstrated how synthetic hot rolling oils enable steelmakers to achieve higher productivity, superior product quality, and stronger environmental compliance through reduced emissions and cleaner system operation.

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This release was published on openPR.