Tianhe Chemicals will soon open a 20,000 square meter research and development center outside Bengaluru, India - a facility that it claims will be the largest lubricant additive laboratory in Asia.

GTS Chemical Holdings will invest at least 49 million ($7.8 million) to expand its annual lubricant production capacity in Liaocheng, China, by 30,000 metric tons per year.

Third-quarter profits for Balmer Lawries grease and lubricants segment fell 35 percent year-over-year, while Savitas petroleum products division also declined.

Following a government call for improved efficiency, Japans Idemitsu Kosan Co Ltd aims to reduce costs for base oil and lubricant production by cutting the amount of crude oil used for steam generation by 1,800 kiloliters per year.

BASF and Petronas Chemicals Group will build a 2-ethylhexanoic acid factory at the site of their joint venture in Kuantan, Malaysia, the companies announced yesterday.