Base oil exports from the United States were barely higher in November compared to the same month of 2021, while imports dropped sharply to the lowest level in 16 months. South Korea and the United Arab Emirates, normally two of the main suppliers of imports, shipped almost nothing to the country in November.

Brazil’s base oil production increased 16% in December 2022 but was down 7% for the full year, while base oil import volume doubled in December but declined more than 20% for the full year, according to data released by a government agency. December’s production level of 50,000 metric tons was the second-highest total for the year.

The February issue features a special report on base stocks. Find out which obstacles oleochemical suppliers are facing as they toss their hats into the base stocks ring, how base oil trading patterns have shifted in the past few decades, and what the future of base stock production looks like in Latin America. 

Operating income for Valvoline’s Retail Services business took a dip while sales increased for the quarter ended Dec. 31, which is the first quarter of its fiscal year. Meanwhile, it still awaits the completion of the sale of its Global Products segments to Saudi Aramco. Officials reported gains in numbers of vehicles served and in sales other than oil changes, and they expressed a rosy outlook for the year.