Thoughts on lubricants The Heart of Technology
A beautiful harmony born from the "challenge of friction."
Idemitsu TRIBOLOGY unlocks infinite technological possibilities.
And a vibrant future for our customers and the world that unfolds before them.
brand story
The Heart of Technology
We want to deliver "lubrication" to every corner of people's hearts in this world.
Since our founding in 1911, we have developed lubrication technology that controls friction in the various machines that support today's industrial development, including automobiles, railways, heavy industry, and power plants.
It has been a history of "challenging friction," working together with our customers to achieve the ultimate in productivity and fuel efficiency.
Idemitsu's “Heart of Technology” has been refined over more than 100 years and continues to create lubrication for the world, where people communicate with each other. Today, we continue to work day in and day out to create things that are familiar to you, such as ballpoint pens, smartphones, game consoles, and air conditioners.
We have visited every place on earth that requires "lubrication" and have combined our wisdom to create the "best friction" in a tailor-made way. In the future, this challenge will expand to electric vehicle motors, next-generation batteries, drones, renewable energy, and even space.
Things and things, people and people, business and the environment. As long as the world continues to move, "friction" will always occur. Our mission is to control this friction to the optimum state through untiring ingenuity and overflowing passion.
Idemitsu's TRIBOLOGY continues to take on the uncompromising challenge of friction.
With this technology, we will open up a future where technology, people, and the world can move freely and realize their full potential.
History of lubricant business
The company's founder, Sazo Idemitsu, started the business in 1911 by selling machine oil, and in 1919 developed freeze-resistant axle oil (No. 2 winter weather axle oil) for the South Manchuria Railway.
While developing products that meet the challenges and needs of our customers, we have also expanded overseas since the 1960s, and currently have bases in 103 locations around the world.
| 1919 | Developed "No. 2 winter axle oil" for Manchuria Railway. |
|---|---|
| 1953 | Launch of the luxury lubricant brand "Daphne" |
| 1960 | Lubricating oil section installation |
| 1965 | Launch of automotive lubricant brand "Apolloil" |
| 1966 | Start of overseas sales (Taiwan) |
| 1968 | Lubricants Research Laboratory opened |
| 1970 | The world's first lubricant oil refining facility using hydrotreating refining method was completed at Refinery |
| 1985 | World's first paraffinic ultra-low pour point base oil production begins |
| 1991 |
Developed refrigeration oil for car air conditioners using R134a refrigerant. Participated in Mazda Le Mans victory as a Technica sponsor Launched Marg Plus, a non-chlorine cutting oil that does not generate dioxins even after combustion treatment during disposal. |
| 1994 | Daphne Super Hydro A, a non-Zn hydraulic oil with excellent wear resistance, is launched. |
| 2000 | Successful commercialization of CVT traction oil |
| 2013 | Sponsoring IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia, which will compete in Grand Prix motorcycle racing |
| 2020 | Launch of automotive lubricant "apollostation oil" for SS |
| 2021 | Established brand message "The Heart of Technology" |
| 2022 | Industry's first phosphorus-free and ash-free engine oil "idemitsu Ash Free" released |
| 2023 |
Oils that can be used in EV/HEV drive units, electronic equipment, and battery systems Newly developed "E AXLE and Electric Parts Cooling Oil" |