Total China announced on October 31, 2013 it inaugurated a new state-of-the-art lubricants blending plant in Tianjin – the Total Tianjin Manufacturing (TTM) plant.

The new TTM lubricants blending plant is wholly owned by Total and becomes one of the Group’s largest lubricants plants in the world. With an investment of EUR 30 million (around RMB 280 million) and covering an area of 44,000 m2, the TTM plant is designed to produce up to 200,000 tons of lubricants per year, supplying a wide range of sectors such as the automotive industry, the industrial market and the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) sector.

Total’s fuel economy lubricants – a special line of products that aim to boost the fuel efficiency of vehicles, heavy machinery and off-road equipment – will also be produced at the TTM plant. TTM will focus on supplying northern China, while existing plants in Guangzhou and Zhenjiang will cover southern and eastern China, allowing Total to more fully expand its lubricants business roadmap in the country.

At the inauguration ceremony, François DEHODENCQ, President of Total Marketing & Services Asia Pacific, expressed his gratitude for the support Total has received from the Tianjin Municipal People’s Government and the Tianjin FTZ Airport Industrial Park and underscored the significance of the event. “Today we have further solidified the foundation for our robust business growth in China, focusing on premium products and customer satisfaction. The opening of the state-of-the-art TTM plant not only represents a milestone for Total’s growth in China’s lubricants market, but also across the Asia-Pacific region. This plant will serve as one of our largest lubricants plants in the region,” he said.

Bertrand de LA NOUE, General Representative of Total in China, shed light on Total’s strategy in China and the importance of its lubricants business, saying, “In 2012, China became Total’s largest lubricants market worldwide. This new plant is another example that showcases Total’s determination and confidence in the Chinese market. We remain committed to growing in and with China and continuing to support China’s sustainable development.”

Total Lubricants China (TLC) has been present in the China market for more than 15 years with its headquarters in Shanghai. TLC provides a full range of lubricant products to customers, including passenger car motor oil (QUARTZ Series), diesel engine oil (RUBIA Series), motorcycle oil (HI-PERF Series) and industrial oils. Since 2005 TLC has continued to grow rapidly, with China becoming the number one lubricants market in the world for Total in 2012. Meeting most OEMs’ high standards and certification, Total is the preferred partner of OEMs such as Dong-FengPeugeot and Citroen, Chang-An PSA and Renault. In China, SAIC GM Wuling Automobile, Shanghai GM, SAIC Great Wall Motors, SANY Heavy Industry and Jincheng Motor also recommend and choose Total lubricants. TLC is committed to strengthening its retail and distributor network through partnership with Michelin and the development of Quartz Rapid Auto Centers.