ExxonMobil is considering constructing a polyalphaolefin plant in the Asia-Pacific region, according to a recent posting on its website. The posting provided no further details, and the company did not respond to requests for comment, but PAO demand in the region is growing, and several small plants have opened in China in the past two years.

Japan’s domestic finished lubricant consumption rose 28% and its lubricant production jumped 33% in December, according to data released on Tuesday by the Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. For the full year, domestic lube consumption was up nearly 20%, and production was up by 23%.

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. 

The base oil and lubricants business of S-Oil reported a 23% increase in operating profit for the quarter ending Dec. 31 and a 17% increase in sales revenue, along with substantial increases in operating profit and revenue for the full year. The company noted that base oil margins decreased during the fourth quarter but predicted they will remain strong thanks to lower feedstock costs.