Declaring that it sees encouraging signs of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, India-based Maximus International Ltd. say it plans to expand its production capacity in Africa, both through new plant construction and investment in existing facilities. In a recent interview with Lube Report, officials said the company wants to break ground on a new factory in East Africa perhaps by the end of next year and later to expand existing plants in the region.

Sinopec’s Yanshan Petrochemical is installing a production line to make butylene oxide, a chemical intermediate used to make lubricant additives along with other applications. Sinopec called the project an important step in the development of a domestic supply base for butylene oxide.

The lubricants business of Hong Kong-based Yip’s Chemical Holdings Ltd. reported an operating loss and an 8% decline in sales for the first half of this year, compared to the same period last year, citing reduced automotive lubricant demand and increased raw material prices as key factors.