Russian lubricant demand is expected to further stagnate in 2023 at about 1.7 million tons, as automotive lube imports shrink to record low levels, an industry event heard last week. This year, Russian passenger car lubricant demand could reach 347,000 tons, and about 163,000 tons are expected to come from imports, 6% less than in 2022.

The Middle East has cost advantages over other regions when it comes to production of base oils, an analyst told an industry conference last month, thanks to plentiful supply of very waxy crude oils and its use of oil hydrocrackers to make diesel.

The November issue delves into new regulations and monitoring of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS, and explains why hybrids may cushion the blow to automotive lubricant manufacturers as electrification accelerates. This issue also explores past, present and future heavy-duty engine oil viscosity trends as well as why U.S. base oil production dipped during the first half of 2023.

Among Nigerian blenders, Conoil reported a steep decline in gross profit on lower sales for its lubricants segment, while MRS Oil’s lubricants segment’s gross profit surged by triple digits on a slight increase in sales for the first nine months of this year.