Verbio SE recently started construction of a large-scale ethenolysis plant using rapeseed oil methyl ester at a site in Germany to manufacture large quantities of biobased specialty chemicals for use in a range of products, including high-performance lubricants for engines.

South Africa’s Central Energy Fund SOC has finalized an agreement to buy the Sapref oil refinery in Durban, from Shell and BP – transacting a site that includes one of the few base oil plants in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Nigerian blender MRS Oil Nigeria reported large increases in gross profit and sales revenue for its lubricants segment in the first quarter, despite a sharp uptick in the segment’s cost of sales.