Researchers found synthetic aviation engine oils to be a significant source of fine particles polluting the air around a German airport, according to a paper published last month by an agency of the state of Hesse. A joint team from a state agency and Goethe University in Frankfurt said lubes should be addressed if levels of ultrafine particles are to be reduced.

Domestic lubricant demand in Germany during October declined 7% compared to the same month last year, to 52,234 metric tons, according to data released last month by a German government agency. The total excludes extracts, process oils and base oils not used in lubrication.

Sales of new vehicles in South Africa rose by 14% in 2022 and were just 1% shy of pre-pandemic new vehicle sales in 2019, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa reported yesterday. The increase came in spite of a number of economic headwinds in the country last year.