Japan's Idemitsu Kosan Launches World's First Plant-Based Motor Oil

Japanese company Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. has created the world’s first plant-based motor oil specifically designed for racing. This innovative product, called Idemitsu IFG Plantech Racing, uses plant-based materials as more than 80% of its base oil. These materials include oils such as palm oil, canola oil, and sunflower oil.

Idemitsu Kosan claims that their plant-based motor oils significantly reduce the environmental impact compared to traditional mineral oil-based motor oils. According to the company, ldemitsu IFG plantech Racing has an 82% smaller carbon footprint than conventional motor oil, marking an important step towards sustainability for the automotive industry.

This is the first plant-based motor oil to successfully obtain certification from the American Petroleum Institute (AP). This certification assures consumers of the quality and performance of the engine oil, as well as its environmental benefits.

Before releasing the oil to the market, Idemitsu Kosan conducts a series of rigorous tests to ensure that the plant-based oil meets the highest standards. The test results are impressive. Compared with several competing oils on the market, the new oil's performance is improved by 194%, engine component protection is improved by 169%, and piston protection is improved by 124%.

These results are particularly important in high-performance environments, where oil quality is critical to engine life and efficiency. The company's testing program also extends to real racing conditions. The Mazda Spirit Racing Team, which competes in the Super Endurance Series, used Idemitsu Kosan IFG Plantech Racing oil in its RoadsterCNF concept car during the five-hour race. This oil proved its worth by performing well throughout the race, even under the stress of the intense racing environment.

Idemitsu Kosan plans to launch IFG plantech Racng engine oil to customers in Thailand, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia first through online sales. The company is also considering expanding sales to other key markets such as the United States, Brazil, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, China and India in the near future. This strategic approach will help the company assess product acceptance and lay a solid foundation for further expansion.

This ground-breaking product offers a greener, more sustainable alternative to the motorsport industry, which is often seen as energy-intensive and posing a challenge to the environment. Idemitsu Kosan’s plant-based motor oil demonstrates how companies are taking steps to reduce their impact on the environment, even in high-performance fields such as motorsport, which have traditionally focused on power and speed rather than sustainability. Idemitsu Kosan's IFG Plantech Racing engine oils set new standards for innovation and sustainability in the automotive industry by combining superior performance with environmentally friendly design.