Volume 4 Issue 2

Base Oil Output Keeps Bouncing Back

United States base oil production continued to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in October, rising above 5 million barrels for the first time in 2020, according to recently released data from the U.S. Energy Information Agency.

API Begins 2021 Monitoring Program

The American Petroleum Institute announced the start yesterday of the 2021 cycle of its Aftermarket Audit Program, saying that it aims to once again test up to 1,300 engine oil samples drawn from around the world to monitor their compliance with API and ILSAC specifications.

SK Capital Invests in Lubes Distributor

SK Capital Partners L.P. made a controlling investment in Baltimore, Maryland-based lubricants and specialty chemicals distributor Tilley Chemical Co. The investment amount was not disclosed.

WD-40 Income, Sales Up

WD-40 Co. reported net income of $23.6 million for the quarter ending Nov. 30, up 94% from $12.2 million in the same period in 2019. The company cited strong demand for its maintenance products, driven by renovation trends associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

From Other Editions of Lube Report

VLS Files Complaint Against Mannol

EU Extends Group II Import Quota

U.S. Blocks Sime Darby Palm Oil

Briefly Noted

Effective Feb. 1, Dover Chemical Corp. announced a price increase of 11 cents per pound for off-list prices on all grades of para-nonylphenol and di-nonylphenol products, citing increasing costs for items such as raw materials, packaging and transportation. Applications for para-nonylphenol include nonionic surfactants, corrosion inhibitors and dispersants, while application areas for di-nonylphenol include lube oil additives, nonionic surfactants and dispersants.  Citgo will raise prices up to 12% on branded and unbranded finished lubricants effective Feb. 8, citing escalations in component and transportation costs.  The board of directors of Calumet GP LLC, the general partner of Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P., appointed Louis Todd Borgmann to serve as the company’s senior vice president and chief financial officer, effective Jan. 1.