Volume 7 Issue 38
Commercial Segment Rises in China
September 18, 2020China’s commercial vehicle lubricant market is showing signs of recovery thanks to increases in distances traveled, according to speakers at an industry forum this week. In addition, commercial vehicle sales are rising, potentially pointing to a long-term rebalancing of engine oil segments.
Valvoline’s China Blending Plant Completed
September 18, 2020Fluor Corp. announced on Sept. 15 that it safely achieved mechanical completion of Valvoline’s lubricants blending plant in Zhangjiagang, China, ahead of schedule.
Profits Drop at Lanka IOC, Petronas
September 18, 2020Lubricant supplier Lanka IOC reported a steep net loss, and the lubricants business segment of Malaysian state-owned oil firm Petronas’ domestic marketing arm posted lower gross profit for the quarter ending June 30.
From Other Editions of Lube Report
September 18, 2020Briefly Noted
September 18, 2020China’s Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced on Tuesday a one-year extension of existing tariff exemptions for 16 goods from the United States, including lubricants. Cellier Activity, of ABB in France, was awarded the contract to install new blending technologies and its unique process control system at Shell Indonesia’s Marunda lubricant blending plant in Marunda Centre, north of Jakarta, to drive efficiency and increase productivity. Shell Indonesia announced in March plans to double production capacity at the plant to 300 million liters per year to meet the domestic lubricants market’s growing demand.
Correction
September 18, 2020Contrary to the initial version of the Sept. 11 Asia Base Oil Price Report, which was based on information from outside sources, the Bapco Lube Oil plant is processing at normal levels. There is a maintenance program scheduled at the broader refinery in October; however, it will take place in areas that do not impact the base oil unit, base oil production or deliveries.