Base oil traders in China are watching business dry up, partly because of an oversupply in the international market, speakers at an industry conference in Beijing said last week. The situation is dire enough, many agreed, that some traders will be forced out of business while others are changing business models.

A week after being subjected to fraud allegations by research firm Anonymous Analytics, lube additive producer Tianhe denied the claims and accused AA of inaccurate statements.

Japanese companies Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. and Idemitsu Kosan Co. launched new construction machinery lubricants in Indonesia, not only to serve Hitachi operators there, but also to gain a larger share of the local market.

Chinese lubricant marketer Lopal Tech unveiled a new strategy based on supply of green lubricants billed as helping motorists improve fuel economy.

Valvoline Cummins opened laboratories near Mumbai that will be used for research and development of lubricants and customer training.