Japan’s finished lubricant production decreased 5% in February, while domestic lubricant sales surged 28%, according to data released today by a government agency.
The country produced 160,481 kiloliters (144,000 metric tons) of lubes in February, compared to 169,291 kL in the same month of 2023, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry reported.
Domestic lubricant sales jumped to 148,595 kL in February, compared to 111,559 kL a year earlier. Imported lubricant volume ballooned from 11,138 kL to 22,968 kL.
The ministry also reports on grease production, which rose 10% in February to 4,924 tons. Domestic sales of grease rose 14% to 3,847 tons.
The volume of grease imported into Japan fell 23% to 104 tons, while the volume of grease that the country exported jumped 59% to 76 tons.