Thoughts on lubricants The Heart of Technology
Beautiful harmony created by "challenging friction".
With Idemitsu's TRIBOLOGY, the possibilities of technology are endless.
We aim to create a vibrant future for our customers and the world that unfolds in front of 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 challenge friction without compromise.
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
Founder Sazo Idemitsu started his business in 1911 by selling machine oil, and in 1919 he developed a non-freezing axle oil (No. 2 winter axle oil) for the South Manchuria Railway.
While developing products in line with customer issues and needs, we have 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 high-end 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 lubricating oil refining equipment using the hydrorefining method is 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 | Launch of Daphne Super Hydro A, a non-Zn-based hydraulic fluid with excellent wear resistance |
| the year of 2000 | Successful commercialization of CVT traction oil |
| 2013 | Sponsoring IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia participating in Grand Prix motorcycle racing (MotoGP) |
| 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" |