EMLENTON, Venango County — The Fuchs Lubricants Co. will close its operation here.

Mark Howe, Fuchs vice president of Industrial Product Management, said the Emlenton operation is being relocated to company headquarters in Harvey, Ill.

Fuchs Lubricants U.S. is a branch of Fuchs Worldwide Group, an independent manufacturer of specialty lubricants.

Fuchs opened its Lubrodal Division in Emlenton in 1988, and it has 23 employees.

“We anticipate the transition to the new plant to conclude by spring 2013, and we are hopeful that many of our Emlenton employees will transfer with us and be a part of our future Lubrodal business,” Howe said Tuesday.

The company makes lubricants for a variety of industries including, mining, pharmaceutical, and metal components for the automotive, appliance and aerospace manufacturers.

The company is building a new facility in Harvey for the Lubrodal Division, that will allow for growth.