Heritage-Crystal Clean, owner of North America’s second-largest rerefinery, announced today an agreement to be bought by private equity firm J.F. Lehman & Co. for $1.2 billion. Lehman officials suggested that the value of businesses that treat and recycle waste has risen during the sustainability movement.

Retail sales of greases and lubricants at select United States automotive retail chains rose 17%, and transmission fluid sales rose 11% for the 52-week period ended April 29, according to a market information company’s retail tracking service.

The July issue features a Special Report on Electric Vehicles that explores how the grease industry is adapting to the electrification wave, why lubricant manufacturers are entering the emerging market of thermal management fluids, and how the fast-paced world of Formula E motorsport lubricants may be opening up doors for passenger EV fluids.

Although the United States government is aggressively encouraging future growth in floating offshore wind energy because of its vast potential, projects face several regulatory and technological challenges, speakers said during an online webinar about the topic.