Valencia, Spain — Regulatory pressure, tariffs and sanctions, evolving lubricant specifications and rising defense and infrastructure spending are reshaping base oil demand and trade flows across Europe, the United States and neighboring markets, industry participants heard recently. Regulation-led demand erosion remains evident in Europe’s largest lubricant markets, driven primarily by fuel-efficiency mandates and accelerating electrification, according to Argus Media. “Evolving fuel-effi...

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board agreed to acquire an indirect, non-controlling stake in Castrol as part of a transaction valued at about $10.1 billion, the investor said on its website. The deal involves CPP Investments investing up to $1.05 billion alongside Stonepeak, which is acquiring a majority controlling interest in the lubricants business from bp. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals, and bp will retain a minority interest after c...

Pakelo Motor Oil S.p.A. has completed the acquisition of Uveol Srl, taking full ownership of the Italian specialist in metalworking and industrial lubricants to expand its presence in higher-value segments of the domestic market. The transaction closed Dec. 17 and financial terms were not disclosed. The deal reflects continued consolidation within Italy’s lubricant industry, where demand is heavily concentrated in industrial applications tied to manufacturing activity. Producers are increasing...

Dumarey Group, a Belgian automotive engineering services company, and Malaysia’s Petronas Lubricants International have begun experimental testing of new engine oil formulations for hydrogen-fueled engines as part of an ongoing technical collaboration. The program started in November 2025 and focuses on identifying lubricant chemistries that can withstand hydrogen combustion conditions, particularly higher water exposure, which can affect oil stability and durability. The work reflects growin...

Caltex Taps Santy Trading as its Bahrain DistributorCaltex Lubricants appointed Santy Trading as its official distributor in Bahrain, expanding access to Chevron lubricant products across automotive and industrial segments. The appointment follows a distribution agreement between Santy Trading, a division of Santy Excavation and Construction, and Chevron Trading and was formalized at a signing ceremony at the Gulf International Convention Centre attended by company executives and industry repres...