REXOIL, A NEW-GENERATION LOCAL AND NATIONAL LUBRICANT BRAND THAT MUSTAFA AKTAŞ HAS ESTABLISHED AS A GLOBAL BRAND THROUGH HIS ENTREPRENEURIAL VISION, IS EXPORTED TO MORE THAN 100 COUNTRIES. REXOIL HAS SET A RECORD BY RANKING AT THE TOP OF MOTOR OIL EXPORTS FOR EIGHT CONSECUTIVE YEARS.
"WE ARE FOCUSED ON BRINGING THE POWER OF DOMESTIC PRODUCTION TO THE GLOBAL MARKET."
MUSTAFA AKTAŞ, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT REXOIL PETROCHEMICALS:
INTERVIEW: BİLAL KOÇAK
In today’s business world, we can count hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs who build massive facilities, construct factories, and engage in production; however, very few possess the vision to create the infrastructure of the future. Mustafa Aktaş, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Reksoil Petrochemicals, is one such entrepreneur. Mustafa Aktaş set out in the early 1990s with Aktaş Kimya to engage in the international trade of petrochemical products. Over time, he expanded his business with the goal of becoming not just a supplier but also a manufacturer, eventually founding Reksoil Petrochemicals Inc. The success of Mustafa Aktaş and Rexoil—a new-generation, domestic, and national lubricant brand that has become a global player thanks to his vision—is an inspiring entrepreneurial story…
Rexoil-branded products are currently exported to more than 100 countries. Competing with global giants such as Shell, BP-Castrol, ExxonMobil, Lukoil, Total, and Petrol Ofisi, Rexoil has set a record by ranking at the top of lubricant exports for eight consecutive years. Rexoil was honored by the Istanbul Chemicals and Products Exporters’ Association (IKMIB) in 2025, placing in the top three in the “Mineral Oil Exports” category of the annual “Stars of Export” awards. Rexoil Petrochemicals Board Chairman Mustafa Aktaş received this prestigious award from Trade Minister Ömer Bolat at a ceremony held last month. We spoke with Board Chairman Mustafa Aktaş about the success and goals of Rexoil, Turkey’s domestic and national lubricant brand.
EXPORTER OF THE YEAR
Mr. Aktaş, at the “Stars of Export” Awards Ceremony organized annually by the Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters’ Association (IKMIB), you once again received the “Exporter of the Year” award this year with your Rexoil brand. We’d like to start our interview by discussing this achievement—what would you like to say?
In the export of next-generation motor oils, we’re competing with global giants such as Shell, BP-Castrol, ExxonMobil, Lukoil, Total, and Petrol Ofisi. As Rexoil, we have demonstrated our success by ranking at the top for eight consecutive years with our 100 percent domestic and national brand. In 2025, we ranked among the top three. I would like to thank all my team members who contributed to this achievement. Of course, we are engaged in intense competition with the world’s largest lubricant producers in a challenging industry. Our goal is to transform Rexoil, Turkey’s national brand, into a global brand. I also feel it is my duty to thank the IKMIB executives who deemed us worthy of this award. By exceeding customer expectations through superior product and process technology that meets global consumer standards and national and international legal requirements, operational efficiency, and the team spirit of our experienced, dynamic, and young workforce, we have secured a spot among the top five in lubricant exports, and by 2025, we take pride in being Turkey’s flagship brand—the only domestic and national brand—having surpassed many global brands to rank third.
‘THE RIGHT PRODUCT, QUALITY SERVICE’
Could you tell us the story of how Aktaş Group was founded?
The foundations of Aktaş Group were laid in the early 1990s. Originally established for the international trade of petrochemical products, Aktaş Group—which includes Aktaş Kimya Dış Ticaret Limited Şirketi—has since expanded to include new companies and brands with the goal of not only supplying products but also becoming a manufacturer in our sector. To this end, we established and launched Reksoil Petrochemicals Inc. Under this company, we began producing lubricants under the Rexoil, Auster, and Apex brands. We carry out our production at Aktaş Group’s facilities in the Tuzla Organized Industrial Zone, which feature 15,000 square meters of covered area. Our facilities have a production capacity of 82,000 metric tons of lubricants per shift. Rexoil, the Group’s flagship brand, has established itself in the global market with product groups comprising automotive oils, industrial oils, process oils, greases, and marine oils. I am delighted that the awards we have received have once again proven our founding principle of “The Right Product, Quality Service.” Starting as a commercial venture in the 1990s and evolving into a production powerhouse today with brands such as Rexoil, Apex, and Auster at its massive facilities in Tuzla, the company beautifully reflects the development of Turkey’s petrochemical sector.
THE “STARS OF EXPORT” AWARDS, HELD ANNUALLY BY THE ISTANBUL CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS EXPORTERS’ ASSOCIATION (IKMIB) REXOIL, WHICH RANKED AMONG THE TOP THREE IN THE “MINERAL OILS EXPORTS” CATEGORY IN 2025, WAS PRESENTED TO MUSTAFA AKTAŞ, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF REXOIL PETROCHEMICALS, by Trade Minister Ömer Bolat and Adil Pelister, former president of IKMIB.
"WE PRODUCE NEXT-GENERATION ENGINE OIL"
How did you enter this sector? Did you start with production?
As the Aktaş Group, our entry into the sector began with the buying and selling of petroleum and chemical lubricants. At that time, we became the Turkish representative for Lukoil’s base oil division. I recognized that there was strong demand for this product in Turkey and that significant opportunities would arise if a reliable, high-quality, and uninterrupted supply could be sustainably provided to the market. Later on, I identified a need in Turkey for local producers and manufacturers to produce high-value-added lubricants, with base oil as the primary input. Based on this foresight, we founded Reksoil Petrochemical Inc. in 2004 and began producing Rexoil-branded lubricants at our facility in the Tuzla Birlik Organized Industrial Zone. Later, we created the Apex and Auster brands. We produce new-generation lubricants in various weights and packaging under three brands—all registered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized agency of the United Nations—both domestically and globally.
"WE EXPORT TO OVER 100 COUNTRIES ACROSS 5 CONTINENTS"
Do you sell the products you manufacture primarily in the domestic market or through exports?
Rexoil has become a strong brand used in over 100 countries worldwide, in addition to being a preferred brand in Europe. We export 60 percent of our products. We aim to increase our market share—particularly in the European market, as well as in the Far East, the Americas, and Latin American countries—to reach 75 percent. As of 2026, with our domestic lubricant brand Rexoil—which ranks among the top three in the IKMIB “Stars of Export”—we have reached a 6 percent market share in Turkey’s lubricant sector. We have a dealer network serving all 81 provinces nationwide.
“WE HAVE BUILT OUR STRATEGY ON FIVE CORE VALUES”
With the Rexoil brand, you have consistently ranked among the top in lubricant exports for eight consecutive years. What are the core strategies behind this sustained success?
Rexoil lubricant technology is continuously developed in our R&D laboratories in Istanbul. By closely monitoring developments in the lubricants sector both in Turkey and around the world, we offer our customers hundreds of varieties of superior-quality products. Rexoil has a human resources vision that prioritizes employee development to keep pace with the changes in today’s world. With the mission of producing high-quality goods and services—while closely following technological advancements and making new investments—Rexoil continues to maintain its leadership in the sector, aiming to increase employment and contribute to our country’s sustainable development. With our technology, talent, and values, we aim to increase our capacity utilization rate and expand our market share.
AKTAŞ GROUP’S FACILITIES, LOCATED IN THE ISTANBUL TUZLA ORGANIZED INDUSTRIAL ZONE,HAS A PRODUCTION CAPACITY OF 82,000 METRIC TONS OF MINERAL OIL IN A SINGLE SHIFT. REXOIL, THE GROUP’S FLAGSHIP BRAND, OFFERS PRODUCT GROUPS INCLUDING AUTOMOTIVE LUBRICANTS, INDUSTRIAL LUBRICANTS, process oils, greases, and marine oils, and competes with global giants in the international market. In addition to REXOIL, the AKTAŞ GROUP—which also produces new-generation lubricants in various weights and packaging formats on both domestic and global scales under the APEX and AUSTER brands—ALL THREE OF AKTAŞ GROUP’S BRANDS HAVE BEEN REGISTERED BY THE WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION (WIPO), A SPECIALIZED AGENCY OF THE UNITED NATIONS.
“OUR CORPORATE IDENTITY IS BUILT ON 5 CORE VALUES”
Mr. Aktaş, what values did you prioritize when shaping your corporate identity?
As the Rexoil team, we are moving forward within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, adopting a holistic approach focused on the economy, the environment, and society. We aim for sustainable growth through production without compromising on quality, a customer-focused approach, strong business partnerships, and our flexible logistics structure. With sustainable production, performance, a competitive pricing policy, and product/service quality, an optimized process infrastructure, a product portfolio that meets market expectations, technology that meets industry standards, and the financial strength to weather economic turbulence—we are leading the way in the lubricants market. We have five core values that we have brought together under the umbrella of “Team Spirit,” which fundamentally places people at the center. These values are not merely a strategy; they also serve as a roadmap for how the brand achieves its “Zero Defects” vision. In particular, “sharing lessons learned” and “risk-management-based work” are critical pillars for sustainable quality. I can list these five core values as follows: Safety and quality, trust and participation, excellence, respect, and courage.
“OUR BRAND’S MOTTO AND STRONGEST ASPECT IS ZERO DEFECTS”
Rexoil competes with global brands. How do you achieve this?
Our Rexoil brand’s dynamic and visionary approach clearly demonstrates how a local powerhouse can make a difference on the global stage. In particular, our philosophy of “never equating yesterday with today” serves as proof that the brand does not succumb to the status quo and that we meticulously prioritize a cycle of continuous improvement. We have built our philosophy of continuous improvement on four fundamental pillars.
Operations at Global Standards: Maximizing unit cost efficiency through digital transformation, automation, and lean production processes. Zero-Defect Vision: Focusing on both operational excellence and environmental/social responsibility through the goals of “zero workplace accidents, zero quality complaints, and zero waste.” Win-Win Philosophy: Building an ecosystem that creates added value for its stakeholders by growing not only as a manufacturer but also in partnership with suppliers and customers. Merit and Agility: A flexible structure that enables rapid adaptation to global socio-economic changes, thanks to a qualified workforce with deep industry knowledge. The fact that our brand possesses the flexibility and agility to establish relationships with every country in the world demonstrates just how high our export potential and diplomatic/commercial flexibility are. I believe that Rexoil’s “Technology Hub” vision is the strongest proof that the digital transformation in industry (Industry 4.0) is not merely a slogan, but an operational reality.
MUSTAFA AKTAŞ: WE ARE GROWING WITH A FOCUS ON LOYALTY
"WE ARE GROWING WITH A FOCUS ON LOYALTY, NOT AGGRESSIVELY. RATHER THAN GROWING UNCONTROLLEDLY EVERY YEAR, WE AIM TO RETAIN OUR EXISTING CUSTOMERS AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE SERVICES AND PRODUCTS WE OFFER THEM. WE PRIORITIZE TRUST AND OPTIMIZATION IN EXPORTS. WE SEEK TO OPTIMIZE THE BALANCE BETWEEN VOLUME AND PROFITABILITY BY EARNING THE TRUST OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS THROUGH OUR GLOBAL BRAND REPUTATION. "QUALITY PARTNERSHIPS IN THE DOMESTIC MARKET ARE A PRIORITY FOR US."
THE REXOIL BRAND HAS SUCCESSFULLY DEMONSTRATED HOW A LOCAL POWERHOUSE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON THE GLOBAL STAGE. THE CONTINUOUSLY EVOLVING BRAND OPERATES BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF “GLOBAL-STANDARD OPERATIONS,” “ZERO-ERROR VISION," "WIN-WIN PHILOSOPHY," and "MERIT AND AGILITY" to rapidly adapt to the global market.
“WE’VE TURNED OUR FACTORY INTO A TECHNOLOGY HUB”
Could you tell us about your R&D and technology investments?
We have not only production capacity but also a laboratory infrastructure accredited by the Turkish Accreditation Agency (TÜRKAK). The standards of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) are strict European criteria that determine engine oil performance. As Rexoil, we produce products that meet these criteria, thereby grounding the brand’s quality in a scientific foundation. Our factory, defined as a “technology hub,” has gained the technical legitimacy to compete with global giants through the integrated operation of R&D and quality control processes. Through the integration of our finance, production, sales, and human resources using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, we connect all links in the chain—from quotations to logistics—entrusting our corporate memory to the system rather than to individuals. We aim to keep our processes continuously active by setting significant goals, particularly in the areas of planning and efficiency. As the most fundamental and radical change for 2026, increasing our OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) from the current 60% efficiency—as measured by our monitoring system—to 85% is just one of our indispensable goals. We are planning significant investments in infrastructure and automation to chart a course from 75 percent toward our 100 percent target. We are cementing our principle of “never equating yesterday with today” through these concrete efficiency gains and our “zero-defect” strategy. This approach not only minimizes costs but also builds a sustainable quality standard and service processes.
"WHILE SUSTAINING EXPORT-DRIVEN GROWTH, WE ARE BUILDING A BALANCED STRUCTURE IN THE DOMESTIC MARKET"
What are your core objectives in your growth strategy?
We are growing not aggressively, but with a focus on loyalty. Rather than growing uncontrollably every year, we aim to retain our existing customers and enhance the quality of the services and products we offer them. In exports, we prioritize trust and optimization. We aim to optimize the balance between volume and profitability by earning the trust of our stakeholders through our global brand reputation. Qualified partnerships are a priority for us in the domestic market. We focus on working with reputable partners who have a strong financial foundation and on establishing a presence in the market with high-tech products. We have set as our most important strategic goal to become the primary filling supplier for an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) by 2026 and to see our own brands featured in vehicles. Our brand’s vision is not merely volume-based growth, but also to export “reputation and technology.” We are developing our relationships with our stakeholders in line with this vision.
Our Global Expansion Strategy: By geographically diversifying risks and managing the high potential in emerging markets with foresight, we have focused on four critical regions stretching from Latin America to Southeast Asia. Showcase Goal and Prestige: Driven by our determination to elevate Rexoil’s quality perception to the “premium” level, we aim not only to make sales but also to be featured alongside global giants in the same showcases in developed economies. Building Trust Through Experience: In 2025–2026, we hosted foreign business partners at our factory to demonstrate our process technology firsthand, experimenting with numerous interactive methods to transform “data on paper” into tangible evidence. As an organization aware that we possess an agile management approach to navigate fluctuations in the global economy by monitoring the market and positioning ourselves accordingly, we intend to leverage our most fundamental competitive advantages—such as pricing, product variety, and technical support—to differentiate our Rexoil brand from other local competitors, particularly in logistically and competitively challenging markets like Latin America and Southeast Asia. we aim to leverage our most fundamental competitive advantages—such as pricing, product variety, and technical support—to set our Rexoil brand apart from other local competitors.
PRACTICES THAT MAKE THE REXOIL BRAND SUCCESSFUL
Operational Strength and Production Capacity
Headquarters and Production: The company conducts its operations from its headquarters in Ataşehir and a modern facility with 15,000 m² of covered area located in the Tuzla Birlik Industrial Zone.
Product Portfolio: By manufacturing across a very broad spectrum—from automotive to industrial, and from marine oils to greases—the company meets both domestic market needs and global demand.
1- Strategic Priorities
Human Resources and Development: Guided by the vision of “keeping pace with change,” the company has adopted a human resources approach that prioritizes employee development.
Technology and R&D: To maintain sector leadership, priority has been given to investments in automation and technological advancements. These investments have been aligned with the mission of sustainable development and job creation.
Green Vision: In line with global trends, “green transformation” and sustainability rank high on the company’s strategic agenda.
2- Market and Export Targets
Current Status: 60 percent of production is exported. Nationwide, the company manages a dealer network across 81 provinces, holding a 6 percent market share.
Growth Path: Among the key objectives is increasing the share of exports in total sales to 75 percent by enhancing the company’s presence, particularly in the European, Far East, North American, and Latin American markets.
"WE ARE DEVELOPING SPECIALIZED PRODUCTS IN THE FIELD OF NEXT-GENERATION COOLANTS AND GEAR OILS"
How will the gradual replacement of gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles with electric vehicles affect the lubricants and mineral fuels sector in the coming period? What kind of work are you conducting in this regard?
As the global automotive market shifts toward electric vehicles and with the design and development of electric vehicles and motors, the Rexoil brand is also closely monitoring sectoral dynamics by simultaneously developing products and making necessary updates to our processes; we are constantly renewing our infrastructure, formulations, and products. The rise in the number of electric vehicles is bringing about a radical transformation in the lubricants sector. While demand for traditional engine oils for internal combustion engines is expected to decline in the long term, the need for new-generation products—such as battery coolants, high-speed transmission fluids, and specialty greases with optimized electrical conductivity—is on the rise. At Rexoil, we view this transformation not as a risk but as an opportunity for growth. We stay at the forefront of technology by collaborating on joint projects with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and base oil and additive suppliers. Guided by our philosophy of advanced R&D and academic partnerships, we conduct research with universities and global R&D centers to anticipate the lubricant needs of the future. Not content to stop there, we are focusing on next-generation coolants and gear oils—which are increasingly used in electric vehicles—and, by anticipating future market requirements, we are developing specialized solutions and highly specific products to meet the technical requirements of electric vehicles (cooling, insulation, wear protection). We prioritize the technological expectations of major international automotive manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, BMW, and Volvo, and with a fleet of over 30 testing devices in our accredited laboratory—which is updated annually—we aim to continue our vision of serving as the industry’s analysis and quality center during this transformation process.
"WE HAVE ADOPTED ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRACTICES"
How do you approach issues such as carbon footprint and environmental safety within the scope of the green transition? What are your projects in this area?
We are focused on reducing our carbon footprint through energy efficiency and waste management projects. In particular, regarding environmental emissions, occupational health and safety practices, and the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemicals (REACH), carbon footprint, green transition, and digital transformation—we aim to position our brand as a pioneer and leader in these areas by collaborating on joint projects and initiatives with regulatory authorities, universities, and academics. In particular, by taking the lead in legal and industry processes related to the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemicals, we ensure full compliance with national standards for the safe transport, storage, use, and disposal of chemicals, as well as the management of their environmental and human health impacts. In this context, we collaborate with highly experienced team members and academics who have established careers in their fields. We closely monitor developments, particularly in the design of eco-friendly product formulations and additive packages. The secret to our excellence in product quality lies in our strong and strategic partnerships and our principles of sustainable management. Sustainability and eco-friendly practices play a significant role in our purchasing decisions. At REXOIL, by adopting environmentally conscious supply chain management practices, we are taking steps to utilize green energy sources and renewable materials. This approach reflects our commitment to reducing our company’s environmental footprint and achieving our sustainable growth goals.
We are making significant efforts to develop eco-friendly and high-tech products. We are also expanding our portfolio of eco-friendly products featuring bio-based and recyclable packaging. Leveraging the strength of Aktaş Group’s broad product portfolio, we closely monitor the ever-evolving additive technologies through national and international publications, conferences, panels, and site visits, and we collaborate with suppliers. As Rexoil, we are a preferred brand in international markets thanks to our product quality, commitments, and certifications.
MUSTAFA AKTAŞ: WE PRODUCE WITH TEAM SPIRIT; WE HAVE 5 CORE VALUES
"WE HAVE FIVE CORE VALUES UNITED UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF 'TEAM SPIRIT,' WHICH PLACES PEOPLE AT THE CENTER. THESE VALUES ARE NOT JUST A STRATEGY; THEY ALSO SERVE AS A ROADMAP FOR HOW THE BRAND ACHIEVES ITS ‘ZERO DEFECTS’ VISION. IN PARTICULAR, “SHARING LESSONS LEARNED” AND “RISK-MANAGEMENT-BASED WORK” ARE CRITICAL ELEMENTS FOR SUSTAINABLE QUALITY. I CAN LIST OUR FIVE CORE VALUES AS FOLLOWS: SAFETY AND QUALITY, TRUST AND PARTICIPATION, EXCELLENCE, RESPECT, AND COURAGE."
"OUR 2030 GOAL IS TO BECOME THE NUMBER ONE OIL PRODUCER"
Mr. Aktaş, what are your medium- and long-term goals?
In the very near future, beyond simply being a national and domestic force, in line with our passion to become a global player, we aim to make our sectoral leadership more visible and recognizable, particularly by the 2030s. To make these goals more concrete, we plan to add technical depth to our processes by investing in scientific and technological fields, in addition to our brand’s policies that prioritize and value human health and are environmentally conscious. In summary, I would like to emphasize our goal of becoming Turkey’s number one brand in both the export and domestic markets by 2030. To support and realize this ambitious 2030 vision, we aim to become a brand that exports to all seven continents and is sought after and preferred in the domestic market. By carefully monitoring the supply-demand balance, which increases every year, we aim to achieve an annual production capacity of 82,000 metric tons by utilizing 100% of our production and filling capacity. Driven by our passion to create a Turkish brand on a global scale, we are moving forward with confidence toward our goal of becoming Turkey’s number one lubricant producer by 2030.
Through Operational Excellence and Digital Transformation projects, we aim to modernize our production processes using Statistical Process Control (SPC) by the end of 2026, thereby raising our Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) to 85 percent. We are transitioning to a digital organizational structure that is 100% integrated with our Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and automation infrastructure and incorporates artificial intelligence into our business processes. In line with our goals of Global Competitiveness and Sustainability, we are increasing our export share to 75 percent while shifting our focus to technology-driven markets that demand “premium” products. As part of our green transformation, we are reducing our carbon footprint and taking on a pioneering role in setting industry standards through academic partnerships with universities. We believe that people are at the heart of our “Zero Defect” strategy. By maintaining employee satisfaction at a minimum of 70 percent, we uphold our vision of being the “employer of choice” in the industry. As Rexoil, we are not just a manufacturer; we are a strategic powerhouse shaping the future of the lubricants industry through our financial strength, eco-friendly approach, and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)-approved product quality.
