So you’re saying they had this tech and sat on it for a long time and didn’t use it?I'm sure both Active Clean and Liqui Shield are patented from the very beginning
Otherwise they are no newish patents anyone has found that would suggestive this secret ingredient has been patented. Can you post a link to the one you think it is?
Not all IP is patented. The other option is a trade secret. WD-40 is not patented. The formula for Coke isn’t patented. It’s just kept a secret. Also patent protection only lasts 20 years. I suspect Valvoline is going this route.