None of the main markets can claim to have been busy over the past week. At best, the vessel supply to demand picture in each region has not worsened, and it could even be said to have tightened slightly in a few areas, but overall, freights remain weak.-by Adrian Brown

Master Fluid Solutions has invested in a new metalworking fluids blending plant in Taicang, China, the company announced on Wednesday. The new facility is the Perrysburg, Ohio-based companys single-largest investment globally and will double its capacity in the country.

The outlook for the process oil market in India remains upbeat, driven by demand from the power sector as well as the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, an expert said at an industry event here earlier this month.

India-based GP Petroleums Ltd. on Wednesday announced an agreement with lubricant producer Mag Lube to manufacture and market GPs Ipol lubricants in the Middle East and Africa. The agreement marks the next step in GP Globals plan to take its Ipol brand global and expand production capacity.

Apar Industries reported a hefty decline in net profit, while Tide Water Oil Co. and Continental Petroleums Ltd. both posted healthy increases in net profit for the quarter ending June 30.