The number of lubricant blending plants in Australia continues to shrink. High expenses for imported raw materials, rising labor costs and advantages for production in Southeast Asia have all been blamed for the trend.

An upgraded standard for diesel engine oils will be released in Japan next week, armed with a newly viable test for piston detergency. Later this year, the Japanese Automotive Standards Organization also hopes to upgrade the specifications test for valvetrain wear.

Indonesias state energy company, Pertamina, announced last week it will build a lubricant blending plant and a grease plant in Jakarta. The blending plant will be the companys third and largest such facility.

Lukoil claims that it is being openly defrauded by a former Chinese distributor falsely claiming that it is still an authorized dealer in China.

Malaysian conglomerate UMW Group formed a joint venture to supply lubricants, automotive components and service center operations in Indonesia. UMWs manufacturing subsidiary will partner with Blue Bird Group, a leading Indonesian transportation company.