Milestones

1898
On 28 November, 13 mining companies in Bochum founded the "Westdeutsche Benzol-Verkaufsvereinigung" (West German Benzene Sales Organisation) which will later become what is known today as Aral AG & Co. KG. Its purpose is to market aromatics such as benzene, toluol and xylene, by-products from coke production, to chemical factories.

1918
After various reorganisations, the company now bears the name Benzol-Verband (Benzene Association), or in short B.V.

1924
The continually growing number of cars results in the development of the Benzol-Verband as a significant fuel selling company. The chemist, Walter Oswald, develops a new type of fuel from a mixture of benzene and gasoline. Since benzene belongs to the ARomatic group of chemicals, and gasoline to the ALiphatic group, Oswald names the new fuel "B.V.-Aral". The birth of Aral simultaneously marks two pioneering events: B.V.-Aral is the first super fuel in the world and the rigid standardisation which is to be applied to it guarantees its consistent quality.

1926
The scientific-technical department is created - today the Aral research and development department (www.aral-forschung.de - website in German language). This is an expression of the vital importance which Aral has been placing on research, development and quality assurance right from the beginning.

1929
Lubricants are included in the range of products sold by the B.V.

1939
The B.V. develops the first totally synthetic multi-grade oil "Aral Kowal".

1952
As one of the steps towards breaking up the Kohlenwertstoff AG, the nationalised fuel company, the B.V.-Aral company is founded. For the first time the name "Aral" appears in the company's logo.

1962
The company withdraws from the Benzin-Benzol-Verband (Gasoline-Benzene-Association) and thus the letters "B.V." disappear from the company's name. The company's name is now Aral Aktiengesellschaft (Aral Joint Stock Company).

1967
New shareholding proportions are established: an equal interest of approx. 28% of the capital subscribed of the Aral AG is held by Gelsenberg AG and VEBA-CHEMIE AG, 28% by Mobil Oil AG, 15% by Wintershall AG and 1% is held by the benzene producers.

1978
After Gelsenberg AG is sold by VEBA AG, the Veba Oel AG (earlier VEBA-CHEMIE AG) now holds an 56% interest in the capital stock of Aral AG.

1990
Introduction of "Aral SuperTronic", the totally synthetic, high-performance motor oil for highly-developed engines.

since 1995
Aral develops into a concern structured according to target groups, in order to be able to respond better to the requirements of the diverse groups of private and commercial customers.

1999
The new blue "Aral Worlds" find expression in a new and modern brand launch. All sectors of the company are integrated into an all embracing, coordinated branch relaunch, with a clear corporate identity.

2000
Aral Lubricants goes online with www.aral-lubricants.de and the international site www.aral-lubricants.com, the start of a growing, wide-ranging product, information and service site for customers on the Internet.

The Veba Oel AG acquires a 100% interest in Aral AG and makes this the primary marketing outlet for the Veba oil Group. The new company name is "Aral Aktiengesellschaft & Co. KG". Reorganisations of the Aral Group into a holding structure are continued. New Aral subsidiary companies are formed.

Detailed corporate information can be found on www.aral.com.