2003–2010: Foundation

Lopal was established in Nanjing in 2003, with early development focused on automotive environmental-protection chemicals and related products [1]. Key milestones during this foundational period included:

• 2003: Lopal Tech. was founded.
• 2004: Received Nanjing Famous Trademark recognition.
• 2006: Obtained ISO 14001 environmental-management certification and CNAS-related certification.
• 2008: Joined the United Nations Global Compact [1].

2011–2019: Expansion of automotive chemicals

During this decade, Lopal expanded its manufacturing capacity and product portfolio, particularly in lubricants and automotive environmental-protection chemicals. The company developed products covering gasoline-engine oils, diesel-engine oils, transmission fluids, coolants, industrial lubricants, automotive maintenance chemicals, automotive urea (AdBlue), and other specialty automotive chemicals.

Manufacturing infrastructure also grew during this period; for example, the Tianjin facility became a significant production, storage, and trading base for lubricants [2]. In 2017, Lopal Tech. was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, marking a major stage in its corporate development [1].

2020–2022: Shift toward new energy

The 2020s marked a strategic transformation as Lopal moved beyond traditional automotive chemicals into new-energy materials, specifically lithium-ion battery materials. Major developments included:

• 2020: Establishment of a hydrogen-energy subsidiary and Sichuan LBM New Materials.
• 2021: Production bases in Sichuan and Shandong entered operation; acquisition of the cathode-material business associated with BTR; a subsidiary received investment from CATL.
• 2022: Investment in the ternary cathode-precursor industry and launch of the “Green New Energy and Green New Materials” strategy [2].

This period signified a shift in identity from primarily an automotive-chemical company to a broader new-energy-materials technology group.

2023–2024: Internationalization

Lopal continued expanding its new-energy activities, including lithium materials, sodium-ion research, and green-energy projects. In 2024, the company successfully listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, becoming an A+H-listed company and advancing its internationalization strategy [1].

Lopal’s current business scope extends significantly beyond its original lubricant operations.

Lithium-battery materials

A strategically critical segment is lithium-ion battery cathode materials, particularly lithium iron phosphate (LFP). These materials are utilized in electric vehicles, energy-storage systems, power batteries, and other lithium-ion applications. Lopal focuses on the R&D, production, and sale of these core materials, with production facilities located in Sichuan, Hubei, and Shandong [2].

Automotive lubricants

Lubricants remain a primary consumer-facing business. The Lopal Lubricants (龙蟠润滑油) portfolio comprises gasoline engine oil, diesel engine oil, transmission oil, coolant/antifreeze, brake fluids, industrial lubricants, and other automotive fluids. The company reports over 1,000 SKUs and certifications from organizations including API, ACEA, and ASTM, alongside OEM approvals from manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volkswagen, Volvo, MAN, and Cummins [2].

In 2020, Lopal launched Lopal 1 (龙蟠1号), a premium lubricant line that has since been expanded [1].

Automotive maintenance products

The company manufactures maintenance chemicals for passenger and commercial vehicles covering lubrication, fuel, intake, exhaust, air conditioning, cooling, steering, and automatic transmission systems. These products are positioned around environmental protection, efficiency, and convenience [2].

Automotive urea / AdBlue

Automotive urea solution (AdBlue or diesel exhaust fluid) remains a key part of the environmental-chemicals business. Lopal operates a major production base in Lishui, Nanjing, which serves as a leading facility for automotive urea manufacturing [2].

Industrial lubricants

Lopal supplies customized lubrication solutions for industrial applications, including hydraulic oils, industrial gear oils, heat-transfer oils, guideway oils, and air-compressor oils [2].

Hydrogen energy

Entered in 2020 through a dedicated subsidiary, the hydrogen energy business focuses on fuel-cell technology as part of Lopal’s participation in emerging clean-energy sectors [2].

Lopal operates more than ten smart production bases globally, covering lithium battery materials, lithium carbonate, LFP cathode materials, automotive urea, lubricants, and other new-energy materials. The group also maintains an overseas development footprint, including an LFP production facility under development in Indonesia [2]. Industrial parks incorporate Industry 4.0 systems for automated production, monitoring, and management [2].

Research and development is central to Lopal’s strategy. The company collaborates with institutions including Nanjing University, Hunan University, Bielefeld University (Germany), Southwest Research Institute (United States), and the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (Chinese Academy of Sciences) [2]. Automotive products adhere to technical standards from API, ASTM, and ACEA [2].

Lopal functions as an umbrella corporate brand encompassing multiple product lines and subsidiaries:

• Lopal Lubricants: Automotive and industrial lubricants
• Lopal 1: Premium automotive lubricants
• Trisonic™
• TEEC
• Kelas: Automotive and environmental products
• Lithium-battery material businesses
• Hydrogen-energy businesses

Multiple automotive chemical brands operate under the broader Lopal group structure [2].

Lopal positions itself as a global brand using the tagline “World Brand, China Lopal” [2]. Products are exported to multiple countries and regions, supported by international purchasing, technology, and talent networks [1]. Overseas operations and investments include activities in Singapore and Indonesia, with the 2024 ESG report describing an industrial footprint extending across mainland China and overseas regions.

Lopal’s corporate evolution traces a path from automotive chemicals to automotive environmental chemicals, diversified automotive technology, lithium-battery materials, and finally to broader green-new-energy technology. The company now describes itself as a “Global Leader in Green New Energy Core Materials,” with a vision to become a leading international group in environmentally friendly new-energy core materials [2]. Strategic themes include green energy, new materials, battery technology, automotive chemicals, technological innovation, internationalization, intelligent manufacturing, and sustainability.

Lopal Tech. is publicly traded on two exchanges:

• Shanghai Stock Exchange: 603906.SH
• Hong Kong Stock Exchange: 2465.HK

The company became an A-share listed entity in 2017 and completed its Hong Kong listing in 2024 [1]. This dual listing reflects its transition from a domestic automotive-chemical manufacturer to a company seeking a larger international presence in new-energy materials.

Lopal occupies a distinct position in the industrial market by combining two different identities. On the consumer and automotive side, it is recognized for lubricants, automotive fluids, maintenance products, and automotive urea. Simultaneously, on the industrial and new-energy side, it has become increasingly focused on LFP cathode materials and battery-related technologies [1]. While lubricants remain a vital component of its brand identity, the parent company has developed into a comprehensive new-energy materials and automotive-technology group.

The Chinese name 龙蟠 (Lóngpán) is the company’s original domestic brand name, while Lopal serves as its international-facing brand name. The company actively promotes the concept of a Chinese industrial brand achieving international recognition, as reflected in its “World Brand, China Lopal” positioning [2].

1. 集团介绍 | 龙蟠科技
2. 世界品牌 | 龙蟠科技