China Urges Further Production Self-sufficiency

April 1, 2026

China’s base oil imports fell below 1.5 million metric tons in 2025, reaching its lowest point in recent years, declining slightly from 2024 levels, according...

Drone Strikes Disrupt Russian Baltic Export Routes

April 1, 2026

Drone strikes on Russia’s Baltic ports in recent days halted shipments, disrupting export logistics and raising risks for base oil supply chains. Ukrainian drones struck...

Oxea Raises Prices as Feedstock and Energy Costs Surge

April 1, 2026

Oxea has issued eight pricing notifications across five product segments within a four-week period, with cumulative increases on certain lubricant-related raw materials reaching approximately U.S.$700...

Briefly Noted

April 1, 2026

Cummins Approves Valvoline Blue One Solution Gen 2 Blue One Solution Gen 2, the first heavy-duty engine oil approved by enginer maker Cummins, Inc. for...

Smith & Allan Halts Sale of PCMO After VLS Investigation

March 31, 2026

Smith & Allan has withdrawn its Momentum C3 SWTL 5W-30 engine oil following an investigation by Verification of Lubricant Specifications into product claims linked to...

API Activates Emergency Licensing Amid Global Base Oil Crisis

March 30, 2026

The American Petroleum Institute activated Emergency Provisional Licensing for participants in its Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System, stating that supply disruptions associated with the...

Briefly Noted

March 25, 2026

Chevron Corp to Buy Brazilian Fuel Retailer Chevron Corp. is in advanced talks to acquire a 30% stake in Brazil’s fuel distributor Ipiranga, a move...

IOCL, ReSustainability to Set Up RRBO Network in India

March 25, 2026

Indian Oil Corp. Ltd (IOCL) and Re Sustainability Ltd plan to establish a nationwide system for collecting and rerefining used lubricating oil in India, the...

API Approves Proposed Category 12

March 25, 2026

The American Petroleum Institute has approved its new Proposed Category 12 (PC-12) specification for heavy-duty engine oils. The standard has now been added to API...

Puma and Hass Sign Lube Deal in DRC

March 25, 2026

Puma Energy has entered the Democratic Republic of Congo’s lubricants market through a five-year agreement with Hass Petroleum, marking its first move into the country’s...