Lube demand rises for first time in four months
Rise in demand adds momentum to broader Europe-wide recovery
Sustainability of recovery uncertain, with France last logging two straight monthly increases in 2021
France’s lube demand rose in September for the first time in four months, adding momentum to a broader recovery in Europe’s lubricants market.
Total lube demand came in just below 40,000 tonnes in September, up 3.5% year-on-year, according to data from Centre Professionel des Lubrifiants.
Automotive lubricants posted their first increase in six months, rising 4% year-on-year, while industrial lube demand climbed 3%, the first rise in four months.
The recovery comes even as France had been one of Europe’s laggards through most of 2025, with consumption previously declining even as markets such as Italy and Spain improved.
Stronger lube consumption in France strengthens the possibility of a Europe-wide lube demand recovery heading into the fourth quarter.
A further rise in France’s lube consumption in October would provide a stronger foundation for a sustained upturn.
The last time that France recorded two consecutive months of rising lube demand was in late 2021, underlining how notable a continuation would be.
Uncertainty looms. The September rebound preceded a jump in France’s manufacturing confidence in October to the highest level since early 2024 — followed by a sharp drop in November.
That volatility, combined with a typical year-end slowdown in lube demand, could prompt blenders to limit procurement and keep inventories low heading into the start of 2026.