The years-long process of writing the next heavy-duty diesel engine oil category began last week when the American Petroleum Institute’s Lubricants Group voted to establish a New Category Development Team for PC-12. The new category is expected to offer benefits such as improved engine durability and help meeting tougher environmental regulations.

The United States Supreme Court reopened the door this week on a two-decade patent battle between Chevron Oronite and Infineum, ruling that Infineum can ask the director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to throw out a decision invalidating a 2002 patent on an ILSAC GF-3 light-duty engine oil formulation.

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. announced yesterday the completion of its $31 billion acquisition of Kansas City Southern, one of the largest transporters of base oil and lubricants from the United States into Mexico. The companies’ joint railroad control application with the U.S. Surface Transportation Board still awaits a decision, which is expected late next year.