Volume 10 Issue 2

EPA Calls Formaldehyde Health Risk

The Unite States Environmental Protection Agency formally concluded last week that formaldehyde poses an unreasonable health risk to workers and consumers, one of the last key steps in the government’s long journey to restrict use of the chemical category.

Shell Aims to Buy Raj Petro Specialities

Shell awaits final approval from the Competition Commission of India before it can buy Raj Petro Specialities Private Ltd. from Brenntag Group.

German Lube Deliveries Down Again

Deliveries of finished lubricants in Germany fell 25% in September compared to the same month of 2023, adding to the market’s decline this year.

No Vietnam Eco Tax Hike on Fuels and Lubes

The Vietnamese National Assembly will not raise the green tax on fuels and lubricants in 2025. Maintaining the rate through the year helps ease financial pressure on businesses and individuals and contributes to economic stability post-pandemic, the government hopes. 

Group II Run Rates Up at Daesan

Hyundai and Shell Base Oil has pushed up run rates at its API Group II base oil plant in Daesan, Korea.

From the Previous Edition

YPF Sells Brazil Lube Plant

Lubes Production and Sales Fell in Japan

Gulf Oil India Partners with Nayara Energy

Vertex Settles EPA Commitments

Career Moves: End of an Era at Liqui Moly

Briefly Noted

Lubricant Expo and The Bearing Show North America returns for a second year. From March 18-20, speakers representing GM, Ford, Klüber, SwRI, ExxonMobil, Bellini, Vertex and John W. Stone will discuss key advancements in lubrication, maintenance, condition monitoring and bearing design.

Lumar Quimica, a Spanish chemical products distributor, is establishing a subsidiary in Mexico to take advantage of the country’s growing demand for lubricant materials and as a spearhead into the rest of Latin America, the company said.

Al Jomaih & Shell Lubricating Oil Company Ltd. renewed its agreement with Abdul Latif Jameel for Oils Co. Ltd. to produce and supply Toyota Genuine Oils in Saudi Arabia. Al Jomaih is the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of Shell products in Saudi Arabia.

Cargill laid off 5% of its employees worldwide in a streamlining drive after an unusual drop in profits. About 8,000 people will be dismissed.