Base oil exports from the United States rose during the first quarter of 2022, compared to the same period of 2021, on the strength of increased sales into Canada. Imports were also up as higher volumes from South Korea and Indonesia helped offset a decline from Qatar. The U.S., one of the world’s largest base oil exporters, sent 8.9 million barrels to foreign countries during the first three months of this year.

Brazil’s base oil production – mainly API Group I – increased by 5% in April, while imports dropped by almost 30%, and year-to-date imports were less than half the volume in the same period last year, according to data released last week by a government agency. The country imported just 207,000 of base oils during the first four months of the year, 51% less than the same period of 2021.

Safety-Kleen has rebranded its rerefined base oils, putting them under the Kleen+ name that emphasizes their reduced carbon footprint. Officials acknowledged that rerefiners have long touted environmental benefits of base oils recycled from used lubricants, including a supply chain that generates less pollutants, but they said the company decided to make that message more explicit in light of the sustainability movement.