The U.S. market is slowing down, which is evidenced by the increasing amount of open space in the U.S. Gulf. Nor do Europe or Asia appear particularly dynamic, although neither region has significantly deteriorated over the past week.-by Adrian Brown

The Environmental Protection Agency issued significant new use rules on Sept. 18 under the Toxic Substances Control Act that approve pre-manufacture notices for 10 chlorinated paraffin substances that are used in metalworking fluids.

Brazils state-run oil company Petrobras has started the second phase of a plan to sell controlling stakes in eight oil refineries, inviting expressions of interest for four facilities, including one that houses a naphthenic base oil plant.

Lubricant and grease production plants can improve efficiency and profitability by digitalizing their operations, an industry insider said at a conference in Chicago this month.