Russia’s base oil exports by rail increased 15% in March compared to February, primarily driven by the tight base oil market in Europe for multiple medium and heavy grades, the base oil trading company DYM Resources said. In the first quarter of 2021, the country’s base oil export shipments by rail reached 328,000 tons, up 3% from the same quarter of 2020.

Metalworking fluids supplier Quaker Houghton announced today a joint venture with Grindaix GmbH, a Germany-based, high-tech provider of coolant control and delivery systems used in machining processes, including grinding applications in the metalworking sector. It’s unusual for metalworking fluid suppliers to enter the business of fluid delivery equipment, but Quaker Houghton said the tie-up offers clear benefits for customers.

German lubricant and aftermarket additive maker Liqui Moly said its profits and sales for the first quarter were the same as in 2020’s first quarter. Sales for the first three months totaled €168 million, unchanged from the same period last year. The company’s profit for the first quarter was also unchanged at €2.8 million. The company said its first quarter of 2020 was particularly strong since it was completed before the COVID-19 pandemic affected its sales.