Volume 1 Issue 28

China Base Oils Evolving Fast

What a difference four years makes. Once outclassed in base oils, Chinas refiners have pumped up their base oil refining muscle by 66 percent since 2010. They now have a 13 percent share of global capacity, new research shows.

Lube Park Takes Shape in Indonesia

An independent lubricant blender in Indonesia is working to develop a business park for lube companies. The project is modeled after a joint venture by Shell, Sinopec and Total in Singapore.

Synthetics Primed for Growth

Asia-Pacifics demand for fully synthetic lubricants and semi-synthetic lubricants will grow at average annual rates of nearly 8 percent and more than 4 percent, respectively, through 2023, consulting firm Kline & Co. predicts.

Elevance Plans Malaysian Biorefinery

Elevance Renewable Sciences announced plans for a biorefinery in Sabah, Malaysia, in collaboration with Genting Plantations Berhad.

Lukoil China Lube Sales Go Online

In a bid to improve its marketing strategy in China, Lukoil recently introduced online lubricant sales aimed at the countrys most developed regions.

Briefly Noted

Vitol, which is acquiring Shells downstream operations in Australia, will operate as Viva Energy when that deal is complete. Viva will exclusively market Shell lubricants there. Castrol India will supply lubricants in India for British motorcycle manufacturer Triumph and will cooperate on promoting the two-wheelers.