LNG Publishing Co. is deeply saddened to report the recent death of former editor George Gill. He died at his home in Springfield, Virginia, at the age of 61. George joined Lubes’n’Greases in 2006 to become managing editor of LNG’s newsletter, Lube Report, and remained in that position until leaving the company in 2025. Before Lubes’n’Greases, George was at the Loudoun Times Mirror, where he learned and honed his craft. He was a devoted cat owner and avid bowler and would ...

China’s revised national standard for transformer oil, GB 2536-2025, Unused Mineral Insulating Oil for Electrical Fluids, Transformers, and Switchgear, took effect July 1, introducing stricter technical requirements for mineral insulating oils used in electrical equipment. The updated standard replaces the 2011 edition and strengthens controls on additives, base oil quality and performance characteristics, reflecting higher technical requirements for transformer and switchgear applications. Th...

Penthol, the U.S. distributor of Adnoc’s API Group III+ base oil, has declared force majeure on contract commitments after U.S. attacks on Iran disrupted shipping routes from the Persian Gulf, according to a customer notice. Around one-fifth of global Group III production originates in the region and must transit the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints. The strait has been largely closed since the U.S. launched attacks on Iran in February. Penthol s...

Chinese base oil producers are increasingly looking to export material as expanding domestic production reduces the country’s reliance on imports, according to a senior industry executive. Speaking at a recent ICIS industry event, Gan Xue Yun, deputy general manager of state energy company Sinopec, said China is becoming more self-sufficient in higher-quality base oils while positioning itself as a larger participant in the global market. “Supply will get stronger with additional capacit...

Fuchs Sets Up New Lab in UK Fuchs Lubricants (UK) plc opened a new quality control laboratory at its manufacturing site in Stoke-on-Trent as part of the ongoing expansion of its UK operations. The investment follows recent upgrades to the company’s blending and filling facilities and is intended to strengthen manufacturing capacity and support future growth. Located alongside the blending and filling operations, the laboratory allows real-time quality checks, reduces testing times and impr...