Base stock production in Japan rose 3.6 percent in 2013 to 2.5 million kiloliters, according to data released recently by the countrys Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. A sharp increase in exports more than offset a slight decline in domestic sales.
Domestic sales have been falling since 2010, and they dropped another 1.8 percent to 1,565,813 kl in 2013. Exports, meanwhile, jumped 18 percent from 2012 to 870,924 kl in 2013.
Lubricant consumption in Japan slumped along with the overall economy in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. With less demand at home, Japanese base oil suppliers have tried to increase overseas sales.
Japan has 10 base oil plants with combined capacity to produce 2.6 million metric tons per year of API Group I, II and III base stocks.
Japanese Base Oil Output
(kiloliters)
|
Year |
Production |
Domestic Sales |
Export |
|
2010 |
2,537,485 |
1,756,400 |
753,598 |
|
2011 |
2,578,127 |
1,710,348 |
816,536 |
|
2012 |
2,379,407 |
1,594,020 |
737,458 |
|
2013 |
2,464,628 |
1,565,813 |
870,924 |
Source: Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry