KUALA LUMPUR, 9 September 2026 – The Asian Lubricant Exhibition (ALE) 2026 has officially opened at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) on 8 September 2026, bringing together industry players, technical specialists and emerging talent for a three-day showcase of developments shaping the lubricants sector.
This marks the third edition of ALE 2026, and it is jointly organised by the Asian Lubricants Industry Association (ALIA) and Fuel & Lubes (F&L) Asia. The event is expected to draw more than 1,500 participants across the lubricants value chain, covering areas, such as the base oils, additives, industrial greases and emerging liquid-cooling technologies for data centres.
The opening ceremony featured YB Sim Tze Tzin, Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, who addressed Malaysia’s industrial transformation and ambitions in high-value manufacturing. He also highlighted the growing relevance of advanced fluid technologies in supporting sustainable growth.
Industry Evolution Creates New Talent Needs
A key theme emerging from ALE 2026 is how technological change is redefining both the lubricant industry and the skills it requires.
As industries adapt to the expansion of artificial intelligence data centres, electric vehicles and bio-based chemistry, the lubricants sector is increasingly intersecting with advanced manufacturing, sustainability and specialised technical applications.
Present at the press conference were Steve Puckett, Director of ALIA, Eric Holthusen, ALIA Technical Adviser, Paul Nai, ALIA Council Co-Chair and Ravi Tallamraju, ALIA Council Member.
Speaking at the press conference, Eric Holthusen, Technical Adviser for ALIA, talked about the issues the lubricant industry is facing. One of the main problems is getting younger people to join the field. This is partly because many people still think the lubricant sector is mostly about working with internal combustion engines.
“Our industry struggles to attract talent, because we are seen as a sunset industry, everybody associates lubricants first and foremost with internal combustion engines.”
However, Holthusen stressed that the industry has evolved significantly beyond its traditional applications, with new opportunities emerging in areas including coolants, hydrocarbon-based cooling solutions for data centres and high-performance electric vehicles.
The discussion also highlighted the pace at which lubricant technologies continue to evolve as industries respond to increasingly stringent emissions, fuel economy and carbon dioxide regulations.
“So, what is exciting about this is because the technology is not static. Engine technology, equipment technology is changing, because emission regulations, fuel economy regulations, CO2 regulations, they keep tightening. Every two, three years, there is a completely new technology coming in.”
Problem-solving and curiosity are among the qualities that the lubricant industry are looking for in talents, the panel shared.
The exhibition will be holding a dedicated Future Careers Day on 10 September, connecting university students and young professionals with industry leaders across research and development, formulation, technical services and sustainability.
Technical Knowledge and Industry Diversity in Focus
ALE 2026 is also hosting a series of specialist training programmes and panel discussions throughout the three-day event.
- ELGI Grease Technology Course (8–9 Sep): Modern grease formulation and industrial applications co-hosted with the European Lubricating Grease Institute.
- Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants Workshop (10 Sep): Practical guidance on bio-degradable formulations and marine environmental compliance.
- Halal Lubricants Certification Seminar (10 Sep): Step-by-step guidance on navigating food-grade compliance.
- Women in Lubricants Panel (10 Sep): Featuring industry leaders from Hyrax Oil, BP Castrol, Richful Lube Additive, Wing Hin Motorsports, and ALIA.
With technological change reshaping mobility, manufacturing, energy use and industrial sustainability, ALE 2026 reflects how the lubricant industry is expanding beyond its traditional role. Increasingly, the sector is becoming interwined with emerging technologies, environmental performance and the development of future technical talent.
ALE 2026 runs until 10 September 2026 at Hall 1, MITEC, Kuala Lumpur.
