Castrol
British lubricant brand owned by BP, supplying automotive, motorcycle, commercial-vehicle and industrial oils, fluids and greases. Castrol is a British-origin lubricants brand whose roots lie in the company established by Charles Cheers Wakefield in 1906 and whose present business is owned by bp.
Last updated October 13, 2026
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Overview
Castrol is a British lubricant brand whose origins trace to the Wakefield Oil Company, established by Charles Cheers Wakefield in London in 1899. Wakefield had previously worked for Vacuum Oil and founded the business to supply lubricants for railways, heavy machinery and other industrial equipment. The company initially operated under the name CC Wakefield & Company and later developed products for the rapidly expanding automotive and aviation industries. The Castrol name began as a product brand rather than the company name. Early Castrol formulations incorporated measured quantities of castor oil, a vegetable oil derived from castor beans. This ingredient helped distinguish the motor oils and gave rise to the Castrol name. As automobiles and aircraft became more widespread, the company promoted lubricants designed for engines operating under demanding conditions, helping the brand build a reputation for technical performance and motorsport association. By the middle of the twentieth century, Castrol had become more recognizable than the original corporate name. In 1960, CC Wakefield & Company changed its name to Castrol Limited, formalizing the transition from a product label into the principal identity of the business. In 1966, Burmah Oil acquired Castrol, and the combined business subsequently became known as Burmah-Castrol. This period expanded the brand's international reach and broadened its portfolio beyond passenger-car motor oils. BP Amoco acquired Burmah-Castrol in 2000. Following the acquisition, Castrol became a BP subsidiary and continued to operate as a distinct consumer and industrial brand. Castrol's portfolio includes passenger-car engine oils such as EDGE, MAGNATEC and GTX; motorcycle oils including POWER1 and ACTIV; commercial-vehicle products such as VECTON, CRB and RX; and transmission, axle and drivetrain fluids marketed under names including TRANSMAX, TRANSYND and SYNTRAX. The business also supplies greases, hydraulic fluids, metalworking fluids and other products for industrial, marine, energy, transport and manufacturing applications. Castrol's public identity has been closely connected with technical marketing and sponsorship. Its red, white and green color scheme dates from the early twentieth century, while the phrase "liquid engineering" has been used to communicate the brand's emphasis on formulated performance. The company has maintained extensive involvement in Formula One, rallying, touring cars, endurance racing, drag racing, motorcycle competition and other forms of motorsport. It has also used partnerships in football, cricket, rugby, American football and other sports to build consumer awareness in regional markets. Today Castrol operates as a global lubricant brand within BP's portfolio. Its business serves both consumers and professional customers through automotive retail, workshops, commercial fleets, original-equipment relationships, distributors and industrial channels. The brand's market position is based on lubrication technology, application-specific product development, equipment protection and association with demanding operating environments. Ownership and operating arrangements can vary by country, and some markets use locally managed or licensed manufacturing and distribution structures.
History
Charles Cheers Wakefield founded the Wakefield Oil Company in Cheapside, London, in 1899 after leaving Vacuum Oil. The new company initially focused on lubricants for railways, heavy machinery and industrial equipment. Several former Vacuum Oil employees joined Wakefield, helping establish technical and commercial expertise in the early business. The company introduced its first lubricant in 1906. During the first decades of the twentieth century, it developed products for automobiles and aircraft as those industries began to require oils capable of handling higher speeds, temperatures and mechanical stresses. The Castrol name arose from motor oils formulated with controlled quantities of castor oil. Although Castrol was initially only a product name, its growing recognition gradually overshadowed the corporate identity of CC Wakefield & Company. In 1960, the company formally adopted the name Castrol Limited. Six years later, Burmah Oil acquired Castrol. The combined enterprise became known as Burmah-Castrol and used the acquisition to strengthen the brand's international presence and product range. Castrol continued to operate across automotive and industrial lubrication, while its reputation was reinforced by technical claims, racing involvement and the distinctive red, white and green visual identity introduced in the early Castrol era. BP Amoco purchased Burmah-Castrol in 2000. Burmah's operations were integrated into the BP group, but Castrol remained a recognizable operating brand and subsidiary. The business subsequently organized its offering around passenger vehicles, motorcycles, commercial transport, industrial machinery and specialized drivetrain applications. Its product families included engine oils, transmission fluids, axle lubricants and greases. Motorsport became one of Castrol's most visible long-term communication platforms. The brand supplied or sponsored teams and manufacturers in Formula One, the World Rally Championship, touring cars, endurance racing, drag racing, IndyCar, Supercars and other categories. Castrol also developed sponsorship programs in American football, cricket, rugby and association football. These activities supported a positioning centered on engineering, protection and performance under demanding conditions. Castrol's present business is a global lubricant operation within BP. It sells through consumer, workshop, fleet, distributor and industrial channels and serves both original-equipment and aftermarket applications. Product availability and local operating structures differ by country, and some territories use locally owned or managed manufacturing and distribution arrangements. The brand continues to combine formulated lubricant products with technical services, equipment applications and sports marketing.
- 2000
Castrol joins BP
[1]BP Amoco acquired Burmah-Castrol and retained Castrol as a distinct lubricant brand within the group.
- 2000
Castrol enters the BP group
[1]BP acquired Burmah Oil, bringing Castrol into BP’s portfolio of international businesses.
- 1966
Acquisition by Burmah Oil
[1]Castrol was acquired by Burmah Oil and continued as a major lubricant business within that group.
- 1960
Company renamed Castrol Limited
[1]The company adopted the Castrol name after the product brand became more prominent than CC Wakefield & Company.
- 1919
Castrol Limited name adopted
[1]The company adopted Castrol Limited as its corporate name as the Castrol identity became central to the business.
- 1909
Castrol motor-oil branding introduced
[1]The Castrol motor-oil brand and its recognizable red, white and green color scheme became established.
- 1906
First lubricant launched
[1]The company introduced its first lubricant as it developed a broader technical product business.
- 1906
Wakefield Motor Oil Company established
[1]Charles Cheers Wakefield founded the business in London, creating the company from which Castrol developed.
- 1899
Wakefield Oil Company founded
[1]Charles Cheers Wakefield established the company in London to sell lubricants for railway, industrial and heavy machinery applications.
Products and positioning
A technically oriented, performance-led global lubricants brand spanning consumer automotive products, commercial transport, industrial applications and motorsport-linked engineering.
Passenger-car engine oil
Castrol EDGE
A premium passenger-car engine-oil family positioned around high-performance lubrication and protection under demanding engine conditions. EDGE is one of Castrol's principal consumer-facing product lines and is marketed through automotive retail, workshops and vehicle-service channels. Product grades and specifications vary by market and are formulated for modern passenger vehicles requiring manufacturer-specific approvals. A premium Castrol engine-oil range positioned around high-performance and high-temperature protection. Product grades and specifications vary by market and are formulated for modern passenger vehicles requiring manufacturer-specific approvals.
Passenger-car engine oil
Castrol MAGNATEC
A passenger-car engine-oil range marketed around protection during start-up and everyday driving conditions. MAGNATEC occupies a central position in Castrol's mainstream and upper-mainstream automotive portfolio. Its formulations and available specifications have changed over time to address different petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicle requirements. A passenger-car lubricant family marketed around protection during start-up and frequent stop-start driving. Its formulations and available specifications have changed over time to address different petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicle requirements.
Passenger-car engine oil
Castrol GTX
A long-established Castrol passenger-car motor-oil family serving routine maintenance and engine-cleanliness applications. GTX has also been used extensively in Castrol's consumer advertising and sports sponsorship. It has served as a broad-market range with multiple viscosities and specifications rather than as one single formulation. A long-established Castrol automotive oil family aimed at routine engine protection and cleanliness. It has served as a broad-market range with multiple viscosities and specifications rather than as one single formulation.
Motorcycle engine oil
Castrol POWER1
A motorcycle lubricant family designed for powered two-wheelers and associated engine, clutch and transmission requirements. The line supports Castrol's motorcycle-market presence and performance-oriented positioning. The family includes products positioned for everyday riding as well as higher-performance applications, with grades differing by market. A motorcycle lubricant range developed for different motorcycle engine, clutch and transmission requirements. The family includes products positioned for everyday riding as well as higher-performance applications, with grades differing by market.
Commercial-vehicle engine oil
Castrol VECTON
A commercial-vehicle lubricant range for heavy-duty engines and fleet applications. VECTON is intended for transport operators seeking engine protection, maintenance support and suitability for demanding duty cycles.
Transmission fluid
Castrol TRANSMAX
A family of automatic-transmission fluids and related drivetrain products. TRANSMAX extends Castrol's offering beyond engine oils into vehicle transmission maintenance and fluid replacement applications.
Transmission fluid
Castrol TRANSYND
A specialized transmission-fluid line used for selected heavy-duty and commercial drivetrain applications. It forms part of Castrol's technical fluids portfolio for demanding equipment environments.
Commercial-vehicle lubricant
Castrol CRB
A commercial-vehicle lubricants family serving heavy-duty diesel engines and related transport applications. Products are designed around durability, drain intervals and compatibility with modern emissions-control systems, subject to individual product approvals.
Electric-vehicle fluids
Castrol ON
Castrol's electrification-oriented portfolio, covering specialized fluids and related solutions for electric and hybrid vehicle systems. The range reflects the need for thermal management, drivetrain efficiency and materials compatibility beyond conventional engine oils.
Marketing campaigns
- 2019Jaguar Formula E partnership
International
Castrol renewed its relationship with Jaguar through support for Jaguar's Formula E activities, reinforcing the brand's motorsport and technology positioning. The partnership extended Castrol's presence into electric-vehicle racing.
Outcome. The partnership extended Castrol's presence into electric-vehicle racing.
- 2011Castrol EDGE NFL partnership
United States
Castrol EDGE became an official motor-oil sponsor of the National Football League, using the league's television and commercial platforms to connect lubricant performance with professional sport. The partnership was renewed through the 2017 season.
Outcome. The partnership was renewed through the 2017 season.
- 2011Australian rugby partnership
Australia · International
Castrol signed a multi-year sponsorship arrangement with the Australian national rugby union team and obtained naming rights associated with The Rugby Championship. The agreement was described as a four-year sponsorship.
Outcome. The agreement was described as a four-year sponsorship.
Brand decisions
2000
BP Amoco acquisition of Burmah-CastrolM&ABackground
Burmah-Castrol was an established global lubricant business with automotive and industrial activities. Burmah Oil’s corporate ownership changed when BP acquired the group that owned Castrol.
Action taken
BP Amoco acquired Burmah-Castrol and incorporated the business into the BP group. BP brought Castrol into its global lubricants portfolio while maintaining Castrol as a separate commercial brand.
Aftermath
Castrol continued as a distinct BP lubricant brand rather than being eliminated as a consumer identity. Castrol gained access to BP’s global resources and continued serving consumer, commercial and industrial lubricant markets.
Burmah-Castrol turnover and operating profit at the time of acquisition. Nearly £3 billion turnover; £284 million operating profit (At the time of the 2000 acquisition)
1966
Burmah Oil acquisitionM&ABackground
Castrol had developed from a British lubricant company into an internationally recognized brand and became the subject of a major corporate acquisition.
Action taken
Burmah Oil acquired Castrol and combined the businesses under the Burmah-Castrol structure.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded the group's international scale before the later BP acquisition. Castrol retained its distinct brand identity and continued expanding as a lubricant business within Burmah Oil.
1960
Adopt the Castrol corporate nameStrategyBackground
The Castrol motor-oil name had become better known than the original CC Wakefield corporate identity.
Action taken
CC Wakefield & Company changed its name to Castrol Limited.
Aftermath
The brand name became the principal identity for the company's international lubricant business.
Recent events
Castrol expands sponsorship with Roush Fenway Racing[3]
Reported:
Castrol expanded its partnership with Roush Fenway Racing for 2021 and beyond. Castrol was to serve as a primary sponsor on selected Ryan Newman and Chris Buescher Cup Series entries, in addition to its official oil partner role.
Castrol launches Power1 Ultimate engine oil for two-wheelers[4]
Reported:
Castrol India launched Power1 Ultimate, a fully synthetic engine oil range for motorcycles, scooters and premium two-wheelers. The range is available at Castrol Bike Points, dealerships and online platforms.
Sources4 sources
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