Indonesia’s lubricant demand is expected to grow to 1.32 billion liters per year by 2026, with automotive lube formulations continuing to shift from conventional formulations to semi-synthetic and synthetic products, a Pertamina official told the ICIS Asian Base Oils and Lubricants Conference held here recently.

India’s automotive lubricant market has a new player – the country’s largest manufacturer of braking systems. Brakes India Ltd. announced its entrance to the market late last month, when it unveiled a stable of products that it will sell under the Revia brand name, saying that the products will be toll manufactured by an unidentified party.

The May issue explores why U.S. base oil production dropped off in 2022. This issue also includes feature articles about how one global metalworking fluid distributor is working to improve its sustainability profile as well as how lubricant companies can attract and retain quality employees. Plus, find out what regulatory bodies do to ensure continuity of licensing when engine tests fail.

First quarter operating profits for SK Enmove and GS Caltex’s base oils and lubricants division jumped 22% and 77% compared to the same period of last year, while operating income was flat for S-Oil’s base oils and lubricants business. Officials said China’s relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions helped boost lubricant and base oil demand.