Aftermarket motor oil sales in the United States declined for the first half of this year, although sales picked up for oils used in boating and recreational vehicles as summer arrived, according to The NPD Group.

Petrobras said recently that the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed its efforts to sell a naphthenic base oil plant in the Brazilian state of Ceara, but the company still expects to divest the facility next year.

Vertex Energy’s black oil segment, which includes its rerefineries business, posted steep decreases in operating income and revenue for the quarter ending June 30. The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on collection of used motor oil that reduced feedstock availability, the company noted.