Top 10 Companies in the Hot Metal Forming Lubricants Industry (2026): Market Leaders Shaping the Future of Metalworking

In Business Insights
February 25, 2026


The Global Hot Metal Forming Lubricants Market was valued at USD 148 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 271 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.2% during the forecast period (2025–2034). This robust growth is driven by escalating demand from the automotive and aerospace sectors for high-performance components, stringent environmental regulations promoting safer formulations, and continuous technological advancements in metal forming processes.

As manufacturing industries worldwide push for greater efficiency, durability, and sustainability, the critical role of high-performance lubricants in hot metal forming operations becomes undeniable. These specialized fluids are essential for reducing friction, preventing tool wear, and ensuring the quality of complex metal parts. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Hot Metal Forming Lubricants Industry—a group of established chemical giants and specialized innovators leading the market with cutting-edge solutions and global reach.


🔟 1. FUCHS Petrolub SE

Headquarters: Mannheim, Germany
Key Offering: Comprehensive range of water-based and oil-based hot forming lubricants, synthetic coolants, and forging compounds

FUCHS stands as a global leader in lubricants, with a formidable presence in the metalworking fluids sector. The company’s hot metal forming lubricants portfolio is renowned for its high thermal stability, excellent anti-wear properties, and ability to enhance tool life in demanding applications like hot forging and stamping. FUCHS serves major automotive OEMs and aerospace manufacturers worldwide.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of environmentally compatible, low-VOC water-based formulations

  • Investment in R&D for high-performance synthetic lubricants for advanced alloys

  • Global production network ensuring supply chain resilience and local support

Download FREE Sample Report: Hot Metal Forming Lubricants Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Quaker Houghton

Headquarters: Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Specialty lubricants for hot stamping, forging, and extrusion; QUAKERCORE® technology

Quaker Houghton is a dominant force in industrial process fluids, offering a wide array of solutions for hot metal forming. The company’s expertise lies in providing tailor-made lubricants that withstand extreme pressures and temperatures, crucial for manufacturing safety-critical components in the automotive industry, such as press-hardened steel parts.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Pioneering sustainable solutions with a focus on bio-based and recyclable lubricants

  • Advanced QUAKERCORE® technology for improved lubricity and deposit control


8️⃣ 3. CONDAT

Headquarters: Lyon, France
Key Offering: High-temperature lubricants for forging, hot stamping, and wire drawing

CONDAT is a specialized manufacturer with a strong reputation in the metal forming lubricants market, particularly in Europe. The company focuses on high-performance products that ensure optimal metal flow, prevent sticking, and extend die life in severe operating conditions. Their solutions are critical for producers of high-precision components.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Specialization in graphite-free and water-based lubricants for improved workplace safety

  • R&D focused on lubricants for lightweight materials like aluminum and titanium


7️⃣ 4. PETROFER Chemie H. R. GmbH

Headquarters: Hildesheim, Germany
Key Offering: Forging lubricants, hot forming pastes, and release agents

PETROFER is a key player known for its innovative and effective lubricants for hot forming processes. The company’s products are designed to provide reliable performance under the most strenuous conditions, helping manufacturers achieve high-quality surface finishes and dimensional accuracy. They have a significant market share in the European forging industry.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of easy-to-clean, low-smoke formulations

  • Focus on products that reduce energy consumption during the forming process

Download FREE Sample Report: Hot Metal Forming Lubricants Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Plurasafe® and other specialty lubricants for metal forming

As a global chemical powerhouse, BASF brings its extensive material science expertise to the hot metal forming lubricants market. The company offers advanced formulations that cater to the evolving needs of high-strength steel and aluminum processing, focusing on efficiency and environmental compatibility.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Integration of renewable raw materials into lubricant formulations

  • Strong focus on R&D for next-generation synthetic lubricants with enhanced performance


5️⃣ 6. Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Headquarters: Düsseldorf, Germany
Key Offering: Bonderite® and Frekote® brands for metal forming and release applications

Henkel, through its well-known Bonderite and Frekote brands, provides advanced lubricants and release agents specifically designed for hot metal forming. Their products are engineered to improve productivity, reduce scrap rates, and protect valuable tooling in high-temperature operations like die casting and hot stamping.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of high-performance, non-phenolic release agents

  • Solutions that enable the forming of ultra-high-strength steels


4️⃣ 7. Saint-Gobain S.A.

Headquarters: Courbevoie, France
Key Offering: Specialty lubricants and coatings for high-temperature metal processing

Saint-Gobain’s expertise in materials extends to high-performance lubricants for demanding industrial applications. Their products for hot metal forming are designed to provide superior lubrication under extreme thermal and mechanical stress, ensuring process reliability and component quality for their global clientele.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Investment in R&D for dry film and solid lubricant technologies

  • Focus on integrated solutions that combine lubricants with advanced tooling materials


3️⃣ 8. BECHEM Group

Headquarters: Hagen, Germany
Key Offering: Berulube and Beruforge brands for hot forging and extrusion

BECHEM is a specialist lubricant manufacturer with a long history of serving the metalworking industry. The company’s hot forming lubricants are recognized for their reliability and effectiveness in extending tool life and improving product quality in challenging applications across the globe.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of polymer-based, water-soluble lubricants

  • Customized solutions for specific customer processes and materials


2️⃣ 9. Klüber Lubrication München SE & Co. KG

Headquarters: Munich, Germany
Key Offering: High-performance specialty lubricants for extreme conditions

Klüber Lubrication is a leading specialist for specialty lubricants, offering sophisticated solutions for hot metal forming processes that operate at the limits of performance. Their products are known for exceptional thermal stability and longevity, making them a preferred choice for critical applications in aerospace and premium automotive manufacturing.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Pioneering synthetic lubricants for temperatures exceeding 1000°C

  • Strong emphasis on sustainability with biodegradable and food-grade options


1️⃣ 10. TotalEnergies SE

Headquarters: Paris, France
Key Offering: Total Ecosolia and other industrial lubricants for metal forming

TotalEnergies leverages its vast experience in lubricants to serve the hot metal forming market with reliable and efficient products. Their range includes lubricants designed for various high-temperature processes, focusing on reducing friction, protecting tools, and improving the overall sustainability of manufacturing operations.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Commitment to developing high bio-based content lubricants

  • Focus on circular economy principles in product development and lifecycle

Get Full Report Here: Hot Metal Forming Lubricants Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Hot Metal Forming Lubricants is Smarter and More Sustainable

The hot metal forming lubricants market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional formulations remain essential, the industry is heavily investing in sustainable alternatives, smart manufacturing integration, and high-performance solutions tailored for advanced materials.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Accelerated shift from oil-based to advanced water-based and synthetic lubricants driven by environmental regulations

  • Growing demand for formulations capable of processing advanced high-strength steels and aluminum alloys for lightweighting

  • Integration of IoT and Industry 4.0 for real-time lubricant monitoring and predictive maintenance

  • Increased R&D into dry lubricant technologies to simplify processes and reduce waste

Get Full Report Here: Hot Metal Forming Lubricants Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying essential lubricants—they are enabling the next generation of manufacturing by driving innovation that makes metal forming more efficient, sustainable, and capable of producing the complex components required for modern industry.