Renewed U.S. strikes on Iranian military targets and continued attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz are again rattling base oil and lubricant supply chains, even as the White House abandoned plans to impose transit tolls on vessels using the strategic waterway. The U.S. on Wednesday intensified military operations and reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, while Tehran continued to threaten shipping and regional energy exports. The escalating conflict has kept oil marke...

The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) has warned that proposed changes to U.S. federal research grant rules could disrupt tribology research, reduce opportunities for students and weaken the pipeline of future researchers. The changes, proposed by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on May 29, would revise the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), which governs federal research grants. In a policy statement published Monday, STLE said the proposals would cha...

Shell has completed the sale of its Jiffy Lube business in the United States to an affiliate of Monomoy Capital Partners for U.S.$1.3 billion, while retaining a long-term lubricants supply agreement and its portfolio of lubricant brands. The company says it sold the non-core business to generate cash and focus on businesses it views as more important. Jiffy Lube had been part of Shell Lubricants in the U.S. for more than 20 years and accounted for about 6.5% of the company’s lubricants vol...

Japanese lubricant manufacturers continue to limit supply while the country develops alternatives to crude oil stranded in the Persian Gulf, according to the July Engine Oil Crisis 2026 report by Plastic Pallet Co., Ltd., a logistics company that provides market updates for customers. The report said disruptions to API Group I base oil supplies have caused a severe shortage of Japanese Automobile Standards Organization (JASO) DH-2 engine oils used in industrial equipment, heavy-duty trucks and c...

Quaker in China Quaker Houghton has opened a 30,000-square-meter manufacturing facility in Zhangjiagang, China, expanding local production to meet demand across the Asia-Pacific region. The plant adds production capacity for die-casting fluids and greases used in industries including steel, aluminum, automotive, beverage can manufacturing, mining and wind power. The company also completed an expansion of its Shanghai research and development laboratory in June. The Zhangjiagang project represent...