Tag: Lubrizol

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Berkshire Hathaway–owned Lubrizol has outlined its 2025 progress, showcasing a strong pipeline of science-driven innovations and continued investment in local markets worldwide. The company emphasized its customer-first approach, combining advanced chemistry, digital innovation and sustainable processes to address complex global challenges while meeting regional needs.

“At Lubrizol, innovation starts with understanding what matters most to our customers and the end users they serve,” said Julie Edgar, Chief Technology Officer. “As partners to industry leaders, we leverage advanced chemistry, digital innovation and sustainable processes to help solve the world’s toughest challenges—all while responding to local market needs.”

Throughout the year, Lubrizol introduced a range of new solutions across personal care, mobility, industrial and energy markets. Notable innovations include Carbopol® BioSense Polymer and Sensomer™ Cassia 115 Polymer for sustainable personal care formulations, HybriCal™ lithium-free grease technology, and Lubrizol® PV1710, designed to meet the latest passenger vehicle engine oil specifications. Other advancements, such as Sancure™ 942 for wood finishes and SulfrZol® 54 for refinery operations, highlight the company’s focus on performance, sustainability and regional adaptability.

A cornerstone of Lubrizol’s strategy remains its “local-for-local” approach, with targeted investments in research, manufacturing and partnerships across key regions. In Asia Pacific, the company opened new Centers of Excellence in Seoul and Shanghai, launched an innovation hub in Singapore, expanded operations in Indonesia, and introduced ESTANE® BCX TPU for lightweight footwear applications.

In India, the Middle East and Africa, Lubrizol advanced plans for a new Innovation Center, expanded CPVC production capacity, strengthened its medical device partnerships, and introduced region-specific consumer and personal care innovations such as Noverite™ GP250B soap technology.

Latin America also saw significant growth, with the launch of the Beauty Research Institute Brazil and a new São Paulo office to accelerate product development and customer collaboration.

“Through these strategic investments and initiatives, we are empowering local markets with solutions tailored to their unique challenges while driving sustainable growth and global progress,” Edgar said. “Our local-for-local approach ensures we deliver meaningful innovation where it matters most.”

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Lubrizol, a Berkshire Hathaway company and global leader in specialty chemicals, has opened a new office in São Paulo, reinforcing its long-term commitment to Latin America and its focus on innovation and customer collaboration.

The new facility will host a wide range of business functions and corporate teams, including both local and global roles. Equipped with advanced infrastructure, the office is designed to enhance collaboration, support innovation, and deliver added value to customers, while fostering strategic partnerships across the industries Lubrizol serves.

As part of the same complex, Lubrizol is expanding its Beauty & Home applications laboratory and will open a new in vivo research lab dedicated to hair and skin research. Scheduled to open in March 2026, this facility will become the company’s third Beauty Research Institute worldwide, strengthening its global R&D capabilities and leveraging the region’s ethnic diversity to drive locally relevant innovation.

“Latin America plays a crucial role in our global strategy, particularly due to its growth potential, diverse talent, and rich ethnic and biodiversity,” said Bernardo Medeiros, Vice President of Lubrizol Latin America. “The opening of our new São Paulo office reaffirms our commitment to this important market and to working closely with customers and partners to deliver innovative solutions.”

Lubrizol has operated in Brazil for nearly 50 years and is recognized for its technical leadership and strong customer partnerships. The company operates two manufacturing plants in Belford Roxo (RJ) and Paulínia (SP), maintains an office in Rio de Janeiro, and runs R&D laboratories in São Paulo and Paulínia. The new São Paulo office will collaborate closely with these locations to ensure the continued delivery of high-value solutions and excellence in local customer service.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Lubrizol marked a major milestone with its inaugural Asia-Pacific Innovation Summit in Shanghai, bringing together more than 150 industry leaders, technical experts, and partners. The event highlighted how material science is evolving from technology-led development to a collaborative, value-driven catalyst for sustainable industry growth.

Henry Liu, Vice President of Lubrizol Asia Pacific, emphasized the region’s unique role in shaping next-generation innovation.

“Diversified and rapidly evolving market demands are reshaping traditional industry models,” he said, noting that Asia-Pacific’s fast innovation cycles and rich application scenarios make it fertile ground for breakthroughs. Liu reiterated Lubrizol’s commitment to combining global expertise with local engagement, describing the company’s “R&D–manufacturing–co-creation” model as key to accelerating the path from ideas to real-world solutions.

The summit follows Lubrizol’s recent regional investments, including the launch of its Southeast Asia Innovation Center in Singapore, a new office in Jakarta, and expanded medical-grade TPU production capacity in Shanghai.

Breakthrough Technologies Debut in Asia-Pacific

Lubrizol unveiled several innovations aimed at advancing sustainability and performance across multiple industries:

Next-Generation Mobility Additives: New additive packages address China VII commercial vehicle standards and evolving needs in hybrid and electric vehicles. The CV1150 diesel engine oil solution delivers low-ash durability with proven field performance, while the PV3610 platform provides balanced lubrication for internal combustion, PHEV, and range-extended engines.

Sustainable Packaging Coatings: A new PFAS-free, PE-film-free waterborne acrylic emulsion for food packaging offers high oil and water resistance with recyclability, biodegradability, and compliance with China GB9685, U.S. FDA, and EU food-contact regulations.

Biotech Skincare Innovation: Lectroglaze™, the first cosmetic active ingredient powered by electrogenic bacteria, helps neutralize free radicals by stimulating bioelectricity production in the skin microbiome. Clinical tests showed visible reductions in pore size after four weeks.

Advanced TPU Foam for Footwear: New ESTANE® BCX TPU grades support lightweight, high-rebound midsoles using physical foaming processes, promoting both performance and circularity. Lubrizol’s Foam Application Centers in China and Korea will help accelerate sustainable footwear development.

Through panel discussions and technical showcases, the summit underscored the industry’s shift toward collaborative innovation. Lubrizol reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the Asia-Pacific region, aiming to turn emerging ideas into scalable, sustainable solutions that drive future growth.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Lubrizol Corporation and Aster, a leading Singapore-based provider of chemical and energy solutions, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore a strategic partnership across Singapore and Southeast Asia.

The collaboration aims to combine Aster’s integrated refinery and petrochemical operations with Lubrizol’s innovation-driven expertise to advance diversified energy pathways, develop high-performance lubricants and specialty chemicals, and strengthen supply resilience in support of Singapore’s low-carbon transition.

Under the MoU, both companies will undertake joint studies and initiatives to drive product innovation, enhance value chains, and tap into Jurong Island’s position as a regional chemical hub. The partnership will also focus on developing sustainable and specialty chemical solutions that contribute to Asia’s growing industrial and environmental goals.

“Aster and Lubrizol share a vision to shape the future of specialty chemicals and energy for Asia,” said Erwin Ciputra, Group CEO of Aster. “Together, we aim to power growth, connect industries, and foster a sustainable industrial workforce in Singapore.”

Henry Liu, Asia Pacific Vice President of Lubrizol, added, “This partnership strengthens supply chain resilience and accelerates innovation across Asia’s energy and chemicals sector. It positions both companies to deliver next-generation products that support the region’s shift toward a low-carbon and digital future.”

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Lubrizol has announced promising preclinical results highlighting the superior performance of its microencapsulated iron ingredient, Lipofer™, compared to conventional iron sources. Published in Nature, the study found that Lipofer™ microcapsules significantly improved iron absorption and gastrointestinal tolerance in iron-deficient rats—reversing iron deficiency in just 14 days.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) affects more than 2 billion people worldwide, particularly women. While iron supplementation is essential, common forms like ferrous sulfate often cause digestive discomfort and poor adherence due to side effects such as nausea and gut irritation.

In the in vivo study, researchers compared Lipofer™ to ferrous sulfate, ferrous bisglycinate, and other encapsulated iron salts. Key indicators such as hemoglobin levels, transferrin saturation, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and gut barrier integrity were measured. Lipofer™ outperformed all comparators, showing no signs of gastrointestinal irritation or inflammation, even with prolonged use.

In contrast, ferrous sulfate supplementation led to elevated IL-6 levels—a marker of inflammation—and signs of gut barrier disruption.

Lipofer™ achieves its performance through micronized, microencapsulated technology that enables targeted release in the intestine, minimizing stomach discomfort and optimizing nutrient absorption. Its formulation includes lecithin and ultra-fine iron particles, improving bioavailability while ensuring stability in various formats.

“By combining advanced formulation science with consumer-centric design, Lipofer™ microcapsules bridge the gap between efficacy and tolerability,” said Isabel Gómez, Global Marketing Manager at Lubrizol. “This study reinforces our commitment to addressing real nutritional challenges with proven performance.”

Lipofer™ is water-dispersible, stable, and highly bioavailable—making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including powder sticks, gummies, capsules, and functional foods and beverages.

These findings support Lipofer™ as a next-generation iron supplement, potentially offering a more effective and gentle alternative to traditional iron sources.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Lubrizol, a global leader in specialty chemicals, has announced the launch of new Foam Centers of Excellence (COE) in Seoul, Korea, and Shanghai, China. These facilities, located within the company’s thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) innovation centers, mark a significant step in Lubrizol’s commitment to advancing innovation, sustainability, and collaboration in the global footwear market.

The Foam COEs bring together material science experts, cutting-edge processing technologies, and robust testing capabilities to accelerate the development of high-performance, sustainable foam solutions for athletic midsoles. By integrating supercritical fluid and autoclave foam processing equipment, Lubrizol can streamline design-to-commercialization timelines and deliver rapid, data-driven insights for product validation.

“Asia Pacific is one of the world’s most dynamic consumer markets,” said Jane Cai, Senior Business Director for Asia Pacific. “Our Foam COE combines global expertise with local insight to create industry-leading TPU foam solutions.”

Physical foaming technology is gaining traction for its performance benefits and environmental advantages. With a local-for-global strategy, Lubrizol aims to meet regional demands while contributing to global innovation. “These new capabilities illustrate our dedication to swift, localized support with a broad, international impact,” added Justin Park, Director of Global Footwear Marketing.

Beyond technical innovation, the COEs are designed to foster collaboration across the footwear value chain—supporting rapid prototyping, technical service, and efficient manufacturing. This initiative not only empowers processors and brands but also sets the stage for the next generation of sustainable footwear solutions.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Lubrizol has introduced HybriCal™, a new lithium-free grease thickener formulation designed to meet the evolving needs of industrial applications. Built on an anhydrous calcium base, HybriCal™ offers a high-performance alternative to traditional lithium-based greases.

The formulation complies with the High-Performance Multiuse (HPM) Grease Specification set by the National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI), ensuring it meets rigorous industry standards. It delivers multiple manufacturing benefits, including lower processing temperatures and reduced dehydration times, enabling faster production and lower energy consumption.

HybriCal™ is suited for diverse applications such as bearings, mining equipment, and general manufacturing, making it a versatile choice across industries. Crucially, it offers a stable alternative to lithium-based greases amid rising regulatory concerns and price volatility. Being lithium-free, HybriCal™ avoids the recent provisional classification of lithium hydroxide as a Category 1A reproductive toxin by the European Chemicals Agency.

“With HybriCal™, Lubrizol provides a future-ready solution that combines performance, safety, and environmental responsibility, bringing manufacturers stability in a disrupted lithium market,” said Tim Saari, Grease Product Manager at Lubrizol.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Lubrizol Corporation has expanded its partnership with India’s Arihant Innochem to include its Nutraceuticals portfolio, extending a collaboration that has lasted more than 30 years.

The move gives Lubrizol broader access to India’s fast-growing health and wellness market, while Arihant adds to its distribution network in Health, Home, and Personal Care.

“The partnership combines Lubrizol’s expertise in science-backed Nutraceutical solutions with Arihant’s distribution capabilities to support continued expansion,” said Jayesh Vithalani, Senior Manager at Lubrizol.

Arihant Managing Director Jinesh Shah said the addition positions the firm to build a niche in the country’s wellness space.

Lubrizol operates more than 100 facilities worldwide and employs over 7,000 people.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Lubrizol has unveiled its Southeast Asia Innovation Center in Jurong, Singapore, strengthening the company’s regional presence and innovation capabilities. Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the new 15,000-square-meter facility will serve as a regional hub for research, development, and collaboration, accelerating the delivery of high-value solutions across Southeast Asia and beyond.

The multi-floor center features state-of-the-art laboratories, immersive experience zones, and training spaces, enabling Lubrizol scientists and product developers to co-create with partners across industries such as mobility, infrastructure, beauty, healthcare, and data technology.

“This new Innovation Center represents a significant commitment to our innovation locally,” said Henry Liu, Vice President, Lubrizol Asia Pacific. “It will accelerate technologies that meet the region’s evolving needs.”

President and CEO Rebecca Liebert emphasized Singapore’s role in Lubrizol’s global innovation network, citing the city-state’s strong R&D ecosystem and collaborative environment.

The launch builds on Lubrizol’s 65-year legacy in the region and follows the recent opening of its Asia Pacific Center of Excellence for Suncare Formulation in Singapore. As part of the initiative, Lubrizol signed MOUs with United Oil Company and the EDB to drive collaborative product development and explore future investments.

“This center is a strong endorsement of Singapore’s position as a launchpad for innovation and sustainability,” said EDB Executive Vice President Lim Wey-Len, highlighting the facility’s potential to foster R&D and create high-quality jobs.

Lubrizol’s expansion reinforces its long-term commitment to Southeast Asia as a strategic region for growth, partnership, and advanced materials innovation.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Lubrizol has announced the launch of Sancure™ 942 Polyurethane Dispersion, a new water-borne, high-solids polymer designed to deliver advanced performance in wood coatings for both residential and commercial applications.

The latest addition to Lubrizol’s growing coatings portfolio, Sancure 942 offers excellent wear protection, strong chemical resistance, and superior adhesion to a variety of substrates. Ideal for OEM and wood floor finishes, its high-solids formulation also allows for greater coverage per application—reducing the number of coats needed and enabling a faster return to service.

“The entire value chain will experience benefits,” said Israel Skoff, technical marketing manager, resin technologies. “From lower shipping emissions and enhanced performance to fewer coats and faster project completion, Sancure 942 delivers across the board.”

When used with external crosslinkers, the product’s performance is further enhanced, making it a powerful solution for formulators seeking both sustainability and durability.

Lubrizol continues to innovate in polymer technology, providing solutions that support eco-friendly initiatives while exceeding performance expectations in demanding markets.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.