Volume 1 Issue 10

Counterfeiters Staying Busy in China

The practice of selling counterfeit lubricants appears to be alive and well in China. Authorities say supply chains of criminals are widening and that this is making them more difficult to catch.

JASO Revises Motorcycle Oil Specs

The Japanese Automotive Standards Organization is working on a two-year schedule to update specifications for both two- and four-stroke motorcycle engine oils. The revisions will replace outdated engine tests and adapt the organization's standards to industry's growing focus on fuel economy.

JX Nippon Ties Up with Tide Water

JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp., a Japanese petroleum giant, signed a memorandum of understanding to set up a joint venture with Indian lubricant manufacturer Tide Water Oil Co. Ltd.

Japanese Base Oil Output Rebounds

Base stock production in Japan rose 3.6 percent in 2013 to 2.5 million kiloliters, according to data released recently by the countrys Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. A sharp increase in exports more than offset a slight decline in domestic sales.

Briefly Noted

S-Oil will supply API Group II base oils in Geelong, Australia, after reaching an agreement with Australasian Solvents and Chemicals Co., manager of storage tanks there. Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd. and Mahindra Two Wheelers Ltd. announced the joint development of Miles+ motorcycle engine oils, now designated by Mahindra as genuine oil for its Centura motorcycle. BASF will build a plant in China’s Nanjing Chemical Industry Park to manufacure speciality amines such as dimethylaminopropylamine – used in lubricant additives – by late 2015.