Low-viscosity motor oils are losing ground in Russia at a time when many Western motor oil and car brands have exited the market, leaving voids filled by Chinese car brands and the heavier oils that they use, according to a Russian consulting firm’s findings.

Europe’s finished automotive and lubricant demand is forecast to decrease at a compound annual rate of 0.1% to 2032, hindered by the Ukraine-Russia conflict, while demand in Africa and the Middle East is projected to grow at a rate of 1.6%, boosted by increasing demand in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, consultancy Kline & Co. projected.

The October issue features a special report on additives. Find out from where Russia is sourcing its additives after the major additive suppliers withdrew from the country as well as which factors have affected global additive supply during the past few years. Plus, discover how a Shell employee with ties to Oppenheimer was critical to key developments in additives and finished lubricants.

Shell Lubricants acquired two product lines from United Kingdom-based M&I Materials Ltd. – one for synthetic and ester-based transformer fluids and the other for electric vehicle battery coolants.