Volume 2 Issue 34

Afton to Expand Singapore Plant

Afton Chemical Corp. announced last week that it will expand its new lubricant additives plant in Singapore, increasing its investment there to about SG $400 million (U.S. $284 million). The company previously said that the first phase of the plant cost SG $100 million.

Sinopec May Shutter Yanshan Plant

Sinopec is considering closing its API Group I base oil plant in Yanshan, China, early next year due to difficulties obtaining feedstock.

Earnings Up at Thai Oil, Chev Lanka, Tide Water

Lube operations of Thai Oil, Chevron Lanka and Tide Water Oil Co. reported gains in second quarter earnings while Yips saw a marginal decrease in first-half sales.

Lubrizol to Use Daelim HR-PIB Technology

Daelim Industrial agreed to license technology for the manufacturing of polyisobutylene to Lubrizol Corp., which plans to expand its main PIB and dispersant production hub near Houston.

Forecast: Japanese Demand Will Slip

The Petroleum Association of Japan forecast that lubricant demand in Japan will drop by 1.1 percent this year to 1.35 million metric tons, with consumption of automotive and industrial lubes both declining.

Pandacan Dismantling Under Way

Manila officials toured the Pandacan depot recently to check the progress of three oil firms under a Philippines Supreme Court order to vacate it.