On September 26, STEP, a domestic brand of high-quality industrial robots and a leading enterprise in intelligent manufacturing, officially established a strategic partnership with Castrol, a century-old international lubricant brand renowned for its pioneering spirit of innovation.

Mr. Chen Huafeng, Vice President of STEP, and Mr. Zhang Zhiqiang, President of Castrol China, signed a strategic cooperation agreement on behalf of both parties at the Park Hyatt Shanghai Hotel. Digital-first, intelligent upgrades, cost reduction and efficiency enhancement. Effectiveness is the core of this strategic collaboration. Leveraging their respective strengths and resources, both parties aim to genuinely support China’s industrial smart transformation and jointly achieve the goal of industrial digitalization.

On-site signing photo

In fact, the two companies had previously joined forces to explore ways to restart the industry following the pandemic. Castrol also paid a visit to the STEPeng smart factory for an on-site inspection and study. Through continuous communication and in-depth understanding, the two sides reached a high degree of consensus on their development direction and expressed their commitment to launching comprehensive strategic cooperation in the robotics industry and the lubricants sector, aiming to achieve long-term mutual success and shared prosperity.

Gather momentum and pursue "intelligence"; work together for development.

In the post-pandemic era, as China’s manufacturing sector gradually emerges from the shadow of the crisis, there is an even greater need to accelerate digital transformation and smart manufacturing development. The restructuring of the entire manufacturing industry is no simple task. STEP has gained deep insights into industry trends and demands, seized opportunities to rise to the challenge, and leveraged its technological strengths and industry experience to actively collaborate closely with all parties across the industrial chain, pooling resources for mutual success.
As a national innovative, high-tech enterprise, STEP has consistently placed great emphasis on independent R&D and boasts a comprehensive product lineup covering motion control, electrical control, robotics, and more. With deep-rooted technological expertise in the field of motion control, STEP has been dedicated to developing intelligent solutions tailored for the public service sector. The diverse range of advanced lubrication solutions provided by Castrol effectively addresses lubrication challenges in production processes, making STEP a widely recognized partner for lubrication solutions in the industry.

Mr. Jin Xinhai, President of STEP

Speaking about the powerful partnership between Castrol and STEP, Mr. Jin Xinhai, President of STEP, commented: “In the future, STEP and Castrol will engage in deep and extensive collaboration by sharing resources across the entire industrial chain, as well as in areas such as product technology R&D and testing. Both parties will fully leverage their respective strengths in resources and scientific research, and through various forms—including technical exchanges, joint development, and technical services—will work together to advance the R&D and application of intelligent products and jointly develop cutting-edge manufacturing projects.”

Mr. Zhang Zhiqiang, President of Castrol China

Mr. Zhang Zhiqiang, Global Vice President of Castrol and President of the China Region, stated: “The growth and application scope of robots in China are also rapidly expanding. This first strategic partnership with STEP, a leading Chinese robotics company, marks a milestone in Castrol’s deployment and planning within the domestic robotics industry. We not only provide high-quality lubricants specifically designed for robots, but also leverage Castrol’s strong network of end customers in robotics applications—such as renowned automakers and emerging electric vehicle manufacturers—to jointly explore new business opportunities with STEP. Together, we will drive high-quality development in the comprehensive services sector and continue to contribute to China’s ‘Made in China 2025’ initiative.”

Reduce costs and boost efficiency to achieve win-win results.

Through this important collaboration, STEP leverages projects as a platform to mass-produce using industrial robots, thereby building intelligent manufacturing systems and achieving the goals of enhancing product quality and reducing production costs. Highly efficient smart automation relies on outstanding lubrication solutions and technical support. For many years, Castrol has been deeply engaged in research on industrial lubrication technologies, including advanced robotic lubrication solutions specifically developed for industrial robots.

STEP Industrial Robots will be using Optigear ALR X1, Castrol’s next-generation lubricant specifically designed for industrial robots. The outstanding performance of Castrol products in numerous reducer tests will help STEP Industrial Robots support end customers in upgrading their industries. As a robotic lubricant, ALR X1 offers superior lubrication protection for robot reducers compared to the conventional Japanese grease currently used on the market. Its exceptional fluidity not only extends the service life of robots but also brings significant convenience during after-sales maintenance, providing customers with a more streamlined maintenance process.

STEP Robotics and Motion Control Products

In addition, STEPeng has consistently focused on sectors such as 3C electronics, lithium batteries, photovoltaics, construction machinery, and metal processing. It is also steadily strengthening and expanding its leading position in elevator control systems and actively developing the elevator aftermarket—aligning closely with Castrol’s longstanding business focus. Through this strategic partnership, the two companies will find it easier to tap into broader markets. Meanwhile, leveraging nearly three decades of experience in automotive body-in-white design, manufacturing, and integration, STEPeng will work together with Castrol to proactively explore the promising market for new-energy vehicles. Both companies aim to further capitalize on their respective industry expertise and resource advantages, jointly driving the development of the new-energy sector. This collaboration will help STEPeng refine its industrial chain layout, enhance its core competitiveness and profitability, and align with the company’s strategy of vertical integration across the upstream and downstream sectors.

The signing of this strategic cooperation agreement comes at a pivotal moment in the industry’s smart transformation—a moment that aligns with the future development directions of both brands and represents a critical juncture for driving the industry’s overall smart transformation. Driven by R&D innovation, we must seize breakthrough opportunities, embrace the digital and intelligent future, and create a win-win situation for both companies, ultimately achieving the strategic goal of building a “science-and-technology-powered nation.”

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