The worlds growing hunger for fuel-efficient engine oils is good news for API Group III base oils, but the market will be oversupplied by 1 to 2 million tons per year for the next five years or longer, predicts U.S. consultant Stephen Ames.

The chief executive of Sri Lankas largest lubricant supplier complained recently that the island country does too little to ensure fair play in the lubes market. He and other suppliers called for closer regulation to safeguard consumers and prevent losses to the nations exchequer.

Shell opened a 1.8 billion (U.S. $290 million) lubricant technology center in Shanghai last week. The worlds largest lubricant supplier hopes the facility will help it attract more business in China and in neighboring countries.

The Malaysian government announced that a mandate for the use of diesel containing 5 percent biofuel will be extended to the whole country in July.

Packaging design is as much science as art. The process requires close interaction between the design team and production experts - because a package that looks great is still poorly designed if it causes hangups on the filling line or buckles during shipping.