Top 10 Companies in the Needle Oils for Knitting Machine Market (2026): Mitigating Friction, Driving Efficiency

In Business Insights
February 07, 2026


The Global Needle Oils for Knitting Machine Market was valued at USD 209.8 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 281.5 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.8% during the forecast period (2024–2034). This steady growth is propelled by the expanding global textile industry, rising demand for high-performance apparel, and the critical need to minimize machine downtime through superior lubrication solutions that protect delicate knitting machine components.

As textile manufacturers worldwide push for higher productivity and superior fabric quality, the role of specialized needle oils has become paramount. These oils are not merely lubricants; they are engineered fluids essential for reducing friction, preventing corrosion, and ensuring the flawless operation of high-speed knitting machines. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Needle Oils for Knitting Machine Industry—a group of global lubricant specialists and chemical innovators dedicated to keeping the world’s textile mills running smoothly.

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Needle Oils for Knitting Machine Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🔟 1. Klüber Lubrication

Headquarters: Munich, Germany
Key Offering: High-performance synthetic needle oils, specialty lubricants

Klüber Lubrication, a Freudenberg company, is a world-leading specialist in specialty lubricants. Their needle oils are renowned for exceptional thermal stability, low evaporation loss, and excellent corrosion protection, making them ideal for high-speed circular and flat-bed knitting machines in demanding textile operations.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of biodegradable and food-grade lubricants for technical textiles

  • Advanced synthetic esters and PAO-based formulations for extended oil change intervals

  • Global technical service network providing tailored lubrication solutions


9️⃣ 2. ExxonMobil (Mobil)

Headquarters: Irving, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Mobil Velocite Oil Series, mineral and synthetic needle oils

ExxonMobil’s Mobil brand offers a comprehensive range of spindle and needle oils trusted by textile manufacturers globally. Their products are engineered to protect against wear, reduce oil mist, and maintain cleanliness on knitting machine beds, contributing to higher operational efficiency and fabric quality.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Investment in high-purity base oils for superior performance

  • Focus on reducing environmental impact through longer-lasting lubricants


8️⃣ 3. Chevron Corporation

Headquarters: San Ramon, California, USA
Key Offering: Chevron Ultra-Life Oils, textile machine lubricants

Chevron provides reliable lubrication solutions for the textile industry, including specialized oils for knitting machine needles. Their formulations are designed to minimize carbon deposits and varnish, which are common culprits of needle sticking and premature machine failure.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of ISO-cleanness compliant oils

  • Emphasis on oil longevity to reduce waste and consumption


7️⃣ 4. Castrol (A BP PLC Group Company)

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Castrol Iloform series, synthetic and mineral needle oils

Castrol’s industrial lubricants division offers high-performance needle oils that ensure smooth needle movement and protect against rust in humid mill environments. Their products are widely used in the hosiery, knitwear, and technical textiles sectors.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Advanced additive technology for enhanced wear protection

  • Part of BP’s net-zero ambition, driving sustainable lubricant innovation

Download FREE Sample Report:
Needle Oils for Knitting Machine Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Shell PLC

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Shell Morlina Oils, Shell Tonna Oils

Shell offers a robust portfolio of bearing and circulation oils that are perfectly suited for lubricating knitting machine needles. Their oils are known for excellent oxidation stability and water separation properties, critical for maintaining machine hygiene and performance.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Research into gas-to-liquid (GTL) base oils for premium performance

  • Shell Lubricant Analytics for predictive maintenance


5️⃣ 6. Nye Lubricants

Headquarters: Fairhaven, Massachusetts, USA
Key Offering: Synthetic lubricants for textile machinery, custom formulations

Nye Lubricants is a globally recognized innovator in synthetic lubricants. They provide specialized needle oils that offer superior performance in extreme temperature conditions, reduce staining on sensitive fabrics, and extend the life of expensive knitting machine components.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Expertise in fluorocarbon and synthetic ester chemistry

  • Development of non-staining, low-volatility formulations


4️⃣ 7. TotalEnergies (Total Lubricants)

Headquarters: Paris, France
Key Offering: Total Azolla ZS Series, synthetic needle oils

TotalEnergies provides high-quality lubricants for the textile industry, with oils specifically designed for the precise lubrication points of knitting machines. Their products help manufacturers achieve higher speeds and better fabric quality while protecting their capital investment.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Focus on energy-efficient lubricants that reduce overall power consumption

  • Commitment to increasing the sustainability profile of their product range


3️⃣ 8. Quaker Houghton

Headquarters: Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Specialty industrial lubricants, metalworking fluids

Quaker Houghton, formed by the merger of Quaker Chemical and Houghton International, is a global leader in industrial process fluids. Their expertise extends to providing high-performance lubricants for textile machinery, including advanced needle oils that prevent rust and reduce friction.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Strong R&D focus on environmentally acceptable lubricants

  • Comprehensive technical service and fluid management programs


2️⃣ 9. Sinopec Lubricant Company

Headquarters: Beijing, China
Key Offering: Great Wall brand lubricants, industrial oils

As one of Asia’s largest lubricant suppliers, Sinopec serves a massive domestic textile industry and export markets. They offer cost-effective and reliable needle oils that meet the demands of high-volume knitting operations, particularly for commodity textiles and apparel.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Significant investment in upgrading lubricant production facilities

  • Expanding portfolio to include higher-tier synthetic products


1️⃣ 10. SKF Group

Headquarters: Gothenburg, Sweden
Key Offering: SKF LGHP series, bearing lubricants applicable to needle beds

While primarily a bearing manufacturer, SKF’s deep understanding of tribology has led to the development of exceptional lubricants. Their high-performance greases and oils are used to lubricate the needle bars and bearings within knitting machines, ensuring precision and reliability.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Patented lubricant formulations based on extensive bearing research

  • Integration of lubrication solutions with condition monitoring systems

Get Full Report Here:
Needle Oils for Knitting Machine Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Knitting Machine Lubrication is Smarter and Cleaner

The needle oils market is evolving beyond basic lubrication to embrace smart functionality and environmental responsibility. As textile manufacturers face pressure to improve sustainability and operational efficiency, lubrication suppliers are responding with innovative products and digital services.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Rapid adoption of synthetic and bio-based oils for enhanced performance and reduced environmental footprint

  • Growing demand for stain-free formulations to protect high-value, light-colored fabrics

  • Integration of IoT and sensor technology for predictive lubrication maintenance

  • Increased regulatory focus on worker safety and VOC emissions in textile mills

Get Full Report Here:
Needle Oils for Knitting Machine Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are not just supplying lubricants—they are providing essential solutions that enhance productivity, protect capital investment, and support the sustainable transformation of the global textile industry.