Volume 9 Issue 26

NLGI: Lithium Thickeners Still Declining

The grease industry’s use of lithium soap thickeners continued to decline in 2023 both worldwide and in North America, as producers looked for ways to counter increased lithium costs.

Lucas Close to Opening Grease Unit

Lucas Oil last week announced that it will open a grease production unit at its lubricant factory  in Indiana later this summer.

U.S. Wind Power Installs Decrease

The United States wind market installed 28% less wind capacity in 2023, compared to the prior year – the lowest year for such installations since 2014 – the American Clean Power Association said in its recently published 2023 market report, citing factors such as market saturation and changes in incentives and permitting.

From Other Editions of Lube Report

Bericap Opens Factory in Kenya

Palm Transformer Oil Project Advances

South Korea Base Oil Imports Jump

Briefly Noted

Chemical giant Brenntag last month acquired Quimica Delta, a Mexican distributor that supplies base stocks and other ingredients to the lubricants industry, including alcohols, polyethylene glycols and silicones. Brenntag, which is based in Germany, did not disclose the price of the deal but said Quimica Delta had U.S. $368 million in sales in 2023. The latter company serves a wide variety of industries in addition to lubricants.