Russian demand for automotive engine oils stagnated at around 414,000 metric tons in 2022, with the lion’s share bought and stockpiled for future use as demand tumbled in response to a series of shocks, according to an industry analyst. Moscow-based Autostat estimates demand of light-duty oils based on sales of passenger and light commercial vehicles, which decreased 0.2% last year.

Italian energy company Eni said in its annual report that its wholesale lubricant sales in Italy fell 38% and that its combined retail and wholesale sales of lubricants outside Italy declined 27% last year. The company’s wholesale lubricants sales in Italy dropped to 50,000 metric tons last year, compared to 80,000 metric tons in 2021. Such sales were also at the 80,000 tons mark in 2020.

A public-private partnership for waste oil collection and construction of a base oil rerefinery was announced recently by the local government of the city of Akyazi, Turkey. The plant will cost 18.3 million lira and will be located in Kucucek İstiklal district near Akyazi, a city 170 kilometers east of Istanbul. It will also include a finished lubricant blending plant, according to the announcement.