Foreword

In the latter part of 2023, the economic situation is not strong enough to meet expectations. In such circumstances, how about the weather on the lubricant market? How much impact have the enterprises endured?

With the above questions, the reporter of the Lubricant Guidebook visited the general manager, Mr. Chen Xiaoyan, so as to get to know about how Wingenbio weathers the impact of economic weakness and how they serve their customers with their own advantages.

Mr. Chen Xiaoyan,the general manager of Wiogenbio (left) and the reporter of the Lubricant Guidebook, Huang Yingmei (right)

01 Advancing Amidst Turbulence, Making Breakthroughs

Since the start-up year of 2013, Shanghai Wingenbio Co., Ltd. has gained much experience in the research and development of industrial lubrication, which is a technical enterprise focusing on the production and sales of specialty chemical and industrial composite lubricants.

According to the general manager, Wingenbio has a 500-square-meter R&D center, which is mainly used to provide oil additives and solutions for synthesis. A 1000-square-meter R&D center was also deployed in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, where it has an annual capacity of 40,000 tons of lubricant additives, rust-preventing oil, and other products. With advanced detecting instruments and industrial installation, together with the techniques and R&D experience brought by industry veteran staff and institute partners. In product lines such as functional additives and specialty oils, Wingenbio will constantly provide customers with affordable pricing, complete product recommendation programs, and service support.

When referring to the recent weak state of the market, Mr. Chen said that the overall economic environment is weak, and Wingenbio was also affected to a certain extent, although there was a slight drop in March and April, but in May and June after the company made adjustments to the product line as well as the layout of the supply chain, there was a rebound. In fine, the degree of influence in the first and second quarter is within the controllable range.

As an enterprises for addictives-producing, techniques and formula are the top priority. For Wingenbio, the central theme remains the new addictives, and strives to achieve import substitution. In the second place, investing into the OEM services in order to strengthen competitiveness and improve sales.

02 Bolstering Composite Products with Better Services

Currently, composite lubricants have a wide market as they can be easily concocted and stored. Wingenbio’s self-formulated additives are developed from native basic oils and a single solvent, which gives momentum to the domestic lubricant supply chain.

By report, Wingenbio widens its product lines through internal self-development and external resource pooling. Meanhwile, it constantly optimizes concoction methods and provides different single solvents and complex addictive solutions, From single solvents to complex addictive products, Wingenbio is always walking on the professional path of customized products for its complete range of products.

In terms of product development and innovation, Mr. Chen revealed to the reporter of the Lubricant Guidebook that Wiogenbio has started the development of products concerning phosphate ester, polyester, and surfactant and has gained some achievements. “Our new product could be benchmarked against foreign competitors and has been optimized for native use so as to attain cost-deduction for terminal users and maintain outstanding performance.

In the exhibition, Wingenbio made a stunning appearance with many products, among which, polymerized ester, phosphate ester, water-oil Cu retardation and low-foaming surfactants and other new products were widely welcomed by the audience.

Specifications of parts of Wogenbio’s New Products：

(Click the image for a larger version)

03 Integrating The Supply Chain for Greener Future

From the start,  supply chain integration has become the priority of Wiogenbio’s developmental orientation. Mr. Chen said: “On the one hand, because of the independent production of products, and on the other hand, the customers we served at that time (foreign-funded enterprises) have this demand, so the integration of the supply chain Customers need import substitution or localization, and we can help them with supply chain integration. Due to our natural advantages in warehousing, logistics, service, and other aspects of our operation mode, we can help customers save their costs and increase their profit.”

The supply chain the raw materials makers, whose is responsible for the intermediate products and the final ones. Then suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors are connected with the terminal users and interchanges are formed. Mr. Chen said frankly that the supply chain integration is a success for Wingenbio since the supply is normal even during the pandemic. Other than that, the temporary order-adding can also be satisfied.

The innovation of the supply chain brings a shining result to Wingenbio. Besides, the concept of creating a greener future is also a noticeable part of their enterprise culture.

As a traditional industry, the lubricant industry suffered great impact when the new energy sector was buoyant. Therefore, this industry faces a bleak future if it does not make transformation. Currently, most enterprises are exploring alternative paths, while cutting-edge foreign enterprises provide a reference, namely sustainable development and carbon emission deduction.

Wingenbio has been committed to a green and environmentally friendly approach since its inception, utilizing eco-friendly materials in its production. In the current context where the entire industry is seeking to upgrade and transform, Wingenbio has consistently aligned its development with the national advocacy for sustainable green growth.

When talking about future planning. Mr.Chen said, “This industry is becoming more and more of a rat race. While the traditional formulas and techniques do not see much improvement over the years, R&D is very critical for enterprises in this industry. What is more, our domestic enterprises are faced with a bonus period when domestic products are warmly welcomed. Wingenbio will seize this opportunity to accelerate import substitution and product improvement.”

China has a vast market, and self-owed-formula additives have a broad perspectives for development. In the future, Wingenbio will continue to focus on product innovation and research and development, accelerate product technology upgrades, reduce costs, expand applications, develop differentiated products, and improve and innovate the technology development model to further enhance market competitiveness.

A Photo Taken after the Interview.