A Heritage of Innovation

Our History

The Oronite brand name, derived from Spanish reference to crude oil as "black gold", has been synonymous with specialty petroleum-based products since 1917 when it was part of Standard Oil Company of California (SOCAL). From early days, Oronite has played a critical role in improving lubricant performance. One of the earliest examples is the introduction in 1925 of Zerolene F, an anti-chatter additive used to lubricate fabric transmission bands in the historic Model T Ford.

Other industry-leading products include:

• 1935: Diesel fuel additive
• 1938: Compound oil for diesel locomotives
• 1941: Detergent oil for passenger cars
• 1954: Gasoline additive to keep carburetors deposit free; first thermally stable phenate additives for marine engine lubricants
• 1960: Dispersant for natural gas engine oil
• 1980: Fuel additive unleaded gasoline cars
• 1989: Additive for multi-grade diesel locomotive engine oil
• 1998: Introduction of Polyether carrier fluids
• 2004: First fully qualified ILSAC GF4 product
• 2005: First environmentally friendly sulfonate

To complement its product slate, Oronite acquired PARATONE^® Viscosity Index Improvers in 1998. This further strengthened the Oronite capability to provide technical solutions that improve engine performance under extreme conditions.

Until the early 1940s, all development and manufacture of additives were carried out at the Richmond Refinery of SOCAL. Increased demand for Oronite additives by the U.S. Army and Navy during World War II led to the establishment of a dedicated additives manufacturing facility at Belle Chasse, Louisiana in 1943.

Oronite operations expanded steadily thereafter to a full-fledged global organization with Technology Centers, Manufacturing plants and a Sales network across the world; working in the same spirit as before to help our customers help keep the world moving.