Tradition and innovation – it’s the combination of the two that makes Rhenus Lub stand out from the crowd. By thinking and acting with a long-term view, we act as an innovation leader in the field of industrial lubricants.
Founded in 1882, Rhenus Lub is a successful and independent, privately run company with international subsidiaries and distributors.
This is what we stand for
As a premium partner to industry, we’re familiar with and understand our customers’ fluid management. You can place your trust in Rhenus Lub as a highly innovative, reliable specialist with in-depth expertise!
Development partner
Detailed development expertise for special greases in all industries.
Versatile
Extensive product range and expertise in the application of metalworking fluids in all industries.
Metalworking fluids and high-performance greases made in Germany
At our headquarters in Mönchengladbach, Germany, we develop and produce high-performance greases, special lubricants and metalworking fluids to meet individual specifications.
As a system provider, we focus on solving complex technical problems – with sound advice and tailor-made products.
The arrangement of all divisions at a central location ensures consistently high quality, fast decision making and safe processes.
26600
t of production per year
270
Members of staff
100
% green electricity use at the site
117
million € turnover (2022)
History
1882
1882Wilhelm Schlafhorst founds the company Wilhelm Schlafhorst – Agentur und Commissionsgeschäft in Mönchengladbach-Rheindahlen.
1920
1920
To avoid confusion with the Schlafhorst company in Hamburg, the oil and grease production facility in Mönchengladbach is renamed “Chemische Fabrik Rhenus Wilhelm Reiners”.
1960
1960The internationalisation of Rhenus Lub is promoted within the framework of the International Marketing and Manufacturing (IMI) Group in Oklahoma, USA.
1989
1989Dr. Max Reiners is appointed as the managing director. Since then, the company has been managed directly by the family that owns it.
1990
1990The “rhenus” brand is registered and built up at international level. All previous products and brand names are brought together under the new umbrella brand.
1993
1993A subsidiary is founded in Spain for the purposes of expanding within the Southern European market.
Rhenus Lub is also a pioneer in terms of environmental protection and becomes the world’s first producer of amine and boric acid-free metalworking fluids.
2001
2001The focus on innovation and special products is further expanded. A second laboratory complex is built at the main location in the Rheindahlen area of Mönchengladbach. The number of staff working in research and development rises to 40.
2005
2005
Rhenus Lub builds upon the successful worldwide trend towards innovation and growth. The traditional location at Rheindahlen undergoes further expansion and becomes home to one of the most advanced grease factories in Europe.
2007
2007
As it marks its 125th anniversary, Rhenus Lub finds itself in great shape: with excellent business figures, a rapidly expanding portfolio of customers and products, and a strong innovation department, the company is well equipped for the future.
2009
2009
Investments pay off. The company’s rapid growth calls for further expansion – and a state-of-the-art new logistics centre is built.
2011
2011
Rhenus Lub stays true to its tradition as a responsible company. This commitment is underpinned by its joining the UN Global Compact initiative, a pact between companies and the UN that aims to make globalisation socially and environmentally sustainable.
2012
2012
Rhenus Lub is delighted about the rising international demand. In an effort to provide our customers with optimum support and advice wherever they are, we expand upon our strategic partnerships in core international markets.
We also strengthen our historic location with significant further investments in laboratories for research and development.
2015
2015
Digitalisation and Industry 4.0 are part of everyday life at Rhenus Lub. With the launch of our smart factory, we apply cutting-edge technology in order to generate further advantages for our customers.
Once again, the importance placed on research and innovation pays off: with rhenus FU 800, Rhenus Lub sets new standards for the next generation of state-of-the-art metalworking fluids. Our new product brings together the benefits of maximum productivity with increasing standards of environmental protection and health and safety.
2016
2016
Rhenus Lub develops a new metalworking fluid for processing carbon components and other fibre composite materials in collaboration with the German Aerospace Centre (DLR).
2018
2018
We’re especially proud of achieving aviation approval and we now operate in all major industrial regions. With our new distribution partner in Canada, our special lubricants are now sold in 40 countries.
2019
2019
Rhenus Lub is certified according to DIN EN ISO 21469:2006. This means that our management system meets the requirements of the standard on the “Safety of machinery – Lubricants with incidental product contact – Hygiene requirements”.
2021
2021
All of Dr Max Reiners’ children – Isabella Kleeschulte, Désirée Reiners, Caroline Reiners and Christopher Reiners – have been partners in the family-owned company since 21 January 2021.
2022
2022
Rhenus Lub has been a climate-neutral company since January 2022. This is achieved by investing in internationally recognised climate protection projects. When it comes to reducing CO2 emissions, Rhenus Lub pursues a clear strategy: Avoid. Reduce. Offset. By doing so, we reinforce our outstanding reputation as an expert partner for special solutions in all areas of industry.
Management
Dr. oec. Max Reiners, lic. oec. HSG
CEO
Since 1989
Dr. rer. nat. Frank Hentrich, Dipl.-Chem.
Managing director for R&D, quality control, production, logistics, maintenance, QHSE and human resources
Since 2011
Meinhard Kiehl, Dipl.-Ing.
Managing director for procurement, marketing, sales and product management
Since 2020
Impuls News
The latest posts and expert articles relating to metalworking fluids, special greases and new research findings from Rhenus Lub.
rhenus EU 12-O – high process reliability, reduced costs
Reading Time:
6 Min.
rhenus TY 155 L: the right choice for people and machinery alike
Reading Time:
5 Min.
Rhenus Lub at the IZB
Reading Time:
2 Min.
Let´s talk at the LUBRICANT EXPO
Reading Time:
2 Min.
Certificates
Environmental Management System
conform to ISO 14001:2015
Occupational Health and Safety Management System
conform to ISO 45001:2018
Quality Management System
conform to IATF 16949:2016
Quality Management System
conform to ISO 9001:2015
Development, manufacturing and Sales Management
conform to ISO 21469:2006
Climate Neutral Company
conform to ISO 21469:2006
Documents
Terms and Conditions of Sale
General Terms and Conditions of Sale
Sustainability Report 2021
Code of Conduct
Public information
Sustainability
Working together to boost value creation
No matter how different industries may be, they are united by high standards of quality and process safety
Lubricants as a design element
The timely selection of a suitable lubricant provides advantages when it comes to new designs.
Read about a specific application here and learn more about special greases as a design element.
Grease helps to reduce noise
Optimisations during the current series are a real challenge – particularly in the automotive industry.
Find out how Rhenus Lub overcomes challenges with its development expertise and in-house laboratory capacity.
Partner for long-term field testing
It goes without saying that the largest machine in the world needs the right lubricant in order to withstand wind and weather.
Find out how Rhenus Lub acts as a development partner, handling the full range of tasks – from experimental design to analysis and evaluation.
Customer-specific innovation
Environmentally friendly lubricants are becoming an increasingly important factor in every industry.
Rhenus Lub develops a completely new lubricant – according to specific customer requirements, environmentally friendly, and customised.
Locations and representative partners abroad
Production, research & development:
- Mönchengladbach-Rheindahlen
- Rhenus Lub S.A., Spain (since 1993)
- Rhenus Lub S.A.S., France (since 1999)
- Rhenus Lub B.V., Netherlands (since 2003)
Rhenus Lub is represented by distributors and customer advisers in the following countries:
Contact us if you have any further queries!
We’re here to help! Contact us to arrange a free, personal consultation – we’re also happy to come to you.
Do you need help with product selection?
Use our product finder!
Become a Rhenus Lub sales partner
Our philosophy centres around achieving local customer proximity – and this aim is pursued not only by our own subsidiaries but also, above all, by our effective sales partners across numerous countries.
In order to further develop our international presence, we’re looking for new sales partners for strategically selected countries. If you’re interested, contact us now and become part of the rhenus family.
Your safety is our promise
This strategy is based on mutual trust and allows us to maintain sustainable growth, which is not only advantageous to our joint customers but also benefits you as a sales partner.
