Chinese, Australian companies sign lubrication solutions pact to boost local industry

Chinese and Australian partners signed a cooperation agreement in Perth, Australia, to provide integrated lubrication solutions to local companies in the mining, engineering and construction sectors, as well as other fields, to support the development of local industry.

PetroChina Lubricant Company, China Petroleum Technology and Development Corporation and Australia's Brooks Group inked the pact on Oct 20, marking a step in the expansion of KunLun Lubricating — a brand under China National Petroleum Corporation, the parent company of PetroChina — into Australia, with the partners moving from product trading toward joint channel development.

With a more comprehensive localized operating model, the Chinese lubricant brand is now engaging more deeply in the global high-end industrial lubricant market.

Wang Wei, deputy general manager of PetroChina Lubricant Company, said the partnership brings together complementary strengths in technology and distribution, describing the agreement as a shift from product trading toward joint channel development.

By combining KunLun Lubricating's technical capabilities with Brooks Group's market knowledge and service network, the company aims to respond to customer needs, share business opportunities and create value, he said.

Wang said he hoped the collaboration would provide a practical model for overseas business development and support stronger commercial ties between China and Australia.

Zhou Feng, president of the Perth Branch of the China Chamber of Commerce in Australia, attended the signing ceremony and delivered a speech.

He said the cooperation offers an example of how Chinese industrial products and technologies can be matched with Australian market needs and local service capabilities.

Zhou added that the Chinese and Australian economies are complementary and that there is scope for further cooperation in resources, energy, equipment manufacturing and related industries.

Australia, an important market for mining and construction equipment, has seen demand for lubricants and greases increase across both sectors. The partners see an opportunity to serve customers operating under demanding conditions with products and services that balance performance, cost efficiency and supply reliability.

Western Australia, a major mining region, is a key starting point. Using Perth as a hub, the partnership plans to expand gradually into other mining and industrial regions, including South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland, serving mining operators, engineering contractors and equipment rental companies. Starting in Perth, the partners aim to develop a locally supported cooperation model that can be extended to other parts of the Australian market.

Brooks Group Managing Director Stuart Brooks said the company is Australia's largest privately owned construction equipment rental business, adding that the partnership followed extensive comparative testing. By combining KunLun Lubricating's lubrication solutions with Brooks Group's distribution channels and service capabilities, the partners aim to give more Australian customers access to a broader range of lubricant products and services. Brooks expressed confidence in the partnership's prospects.

The partnership builds on KunLun Lubricating's technical expertise and product validation. By continuing to develop its products through sustained innovation, KunLun Lubricating said its products have received technical approvals from international manufacturers, including DaimlerChrysler, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and MAN, and have been selected for factory-fill and service-fill applications by original equipment manufacturers, including XCMG Group.

Furthermore, KunLun Lubricating's PLUS hydraulic oil, developed for construction machinery, has obtained Denison HF-0 approval. Designed for demanding mining and construction applications, the product is intended to provide reliable, cost-effective lubrication and support safe, efficient equipment operation.

Meanwhile, the partnership has moved into field trials. Brooks Group has conducted oil replacement trials and broader application tests of KunLun Lubricating's oils and greases on its own equipment. The products performed in line with local operating requirements under heavy-duty mining conditions. The parties have also agreed on an annual cooperation plan valued at tens of millions of Australian dollars.

Please contact the writer at hanjingyan@chinadaily.com.cn