"Premium lubricants are a growth business for BP and ensuring that we can meet demand in a country growing as quickly as China is essential to our success," said Tufan Erginbilgic, chief executive of BP's downstream business.

"This third lubricants blending plant demonstrates our commitment to strengthening our competitiveness and building a sustainable lubricants supply chain in China," he added.

The new plant will become a strategic production center in China for the lubricants business of BP and its Castrol unit, and it will complement the two lubricants blending plants already operating in the country.

"China is a key growing market for high-end lubricants, the new plant is not only another milestone for our business in China, but also reaffirms our strong commitment to long-term investment in China," said Yang Xiaoping, President of BP China.

The new lubricant blending plant, scheduled for commissioning at the end of 2021 will have an annual capacity of 200,000 tons and cover an area of more than 150,000 square meters. It will mainly produce lubricants and greases for automotive, industrial, marine and aviation uses, as well as specialty lubricants and additives, with a special focus on synthetic products.