Castrol - 125 Years

Already in action 

The world of mobility is changing, and Castrol has the potential to help drive that change. To signal this change and reflect its new direction, Castrol refreshed its iconic brand in 2023.

To continue being at the cutting edge of innovation and be future-ready, Castrol is investing further in its global technology hubs in China, Germany, and the Americas, as well as a planned $60 million investment in a new, state-of-the-art electric vehicle (EV) battery testing centre and analytical laboratory in the UK.

Under the ‘Onward’ pillar of its strategy, Castrol has already launched a range of advanced Castrol ON EV Fluids, including EV Transmission Fluids, EV Thermal Fluids and EV Greases. The growing market for electric vehicles will most likely co-exist with the continued demand for internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrids for many years. Castrol aims to keep helping ICE and hybrid vehicles be more efficient, while aiming to lead the way in EV Fluids.

Castrol will also focus on launching more circular products and offers by re-using base oils, which are used as the main constituent ingredient in lubricants. More circular transmission fluid has already been tested in an extreme environment with Jaguar TCS Racing successfully utilising Castrol’s more circular transmission fluid in their Formula E race cars at the 2023 Monaco E-Prix.

With the ‘Upward’ pillar of its strategy, Castrol will support its industrial customers to create more efficiencies, boost productivity, deliver circularity and drive value. Castrol serves the automotive, machinery manufacturing, robotics, aerospace, and wind sectors and in 2023, partnered with SKF to introduce its ‘Oil as a Service’ offer for the metalworking industry. This enables re-use of the lubricant fluid, reducing consumption while improving machine performance.

Castrol also entered a research collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Media Lab to support its AstroAnt Payload Program. AstroAnts constitute a miniature robotic swarm designed to perform inspections and diagnostic tasks on the external surfaces of spacecraft, rovers, and landers. Castrol will work closely with the MIT Media Lab to test space-grade lubricants to withstand the extreme environment of the lunar surface.

While the ‘Onward’ and ‘Upward’ pillars of the Castrol strategy focus on strengthening and growing existing areas of the company’s business, its ‘Forward’ initiatives chart out new areas where Castrol has the knowledge, capability and expertise to win. Castrol has identified thermal management and diversification into data centre cooling solutions as new growth opportunities. Castrol’s work on accelerating the adoption of immersion cooling for more efficient and more sustainable data centre operations is gaining momentum with GRC, Hypertec, Submer and IT hardware OEMs approving the use of Castrol ON immersion cooling fluids.

Notes to editors 

• On the 9th of March 1899, Sir Charles Wakefield founded CC Wakefield & Co. Limited; the company that became Castrol as we know it today.
  
• To mark the 125th anniversary, Castrol has released a video that brings Sir Charles Wakefield back to life using AI to reflect on how the business he founded is doing today!

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bp press office London, bppress@bp.com, +44 7919 217511  

About Castrol 

Castrol, one of the world’s leading lubricant brands, has a proud heritage of innovation and fuelling the dreams of pioneers. Our passion for performance, combined with a philosophy of working in partnership, has enabled Castrol to develop lubricants and greases that have been at the heart of numerous technological feats on land, air, sea, and space for over 125 years.  

Today, Castrol is playing its part in the focus on sustainability through our PATH360 strategy that sets out aims to help save waste, reduce carbon, and improve lives.

Castrol is part of the bp group and serves customers and consumers in the automotive, marine, industrial and energy sectors. Our branded products are recognized globally for innovation and high performance through our commitment to premium quality and cutting-edge technology.  For more information, please visit: www.castrol.com 

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