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GP Petroleums Ltd, a subsidiary of Gulf Petrochem Group, has today announced it had formed a strategic partnership with Spanish petroleum company, Repsol, to exclusively manufacture and market Repsol's line of lubricants across India.

As a result, GP Petroleums, which has a strong presence in the industrial lubricants market with its flagship brand IPOL, says it will now begin "a new aggressive marketing strategy" with Repsol.

Sudhir Goyel, Managing Director, Gulf Petrochem Group, commented: "We are delighted to announce the tie-up with Repsol, a very well-reputed international brand and we will be marketing their entire product range as part of our portfolio. With the economy showing recovery, the lubricant segment is expected to witness growth in the future. With evolving engine technology, Repsol lubricants which is focused on innovation is the answer to today's consumer needs.

Orlando Carbo, Lubricants Director, Repsol, said: "We see the Indian market to have great potential. India will be a very important market for us and this tie-up will help us expand our footprint in this ever growing economy. Partnering with GP Petroleums Ltd, a brand with strong presence in the Indian lubricant market, has given us a firsthand advantage in this sector. With our strengths together, we extend our capabilities to globally distribute a wider variety of products."

Gulf Petrochem added: "Repsol's products come with added benefits and special features that will cater to the newly emerging premium and top-end segment across markets in the country. IPOL has been present in India for over four decades and has established itself as a leading industrial lubricant brand. GP Petroleums has well equipped manufacturing facilities with hi-tech blending facility, quality-control test labs and automated filling and packaging stations.

Gulf Petrochem's in-house base oil storage facility of 17,000 kilolitres is one of the largest in the Indian market, and uses remote sensing technology to accurately measure and control the storage volumes. It has an annual production capacity of 80,000 kilolitres.