Crompton Corp. said last week that it has increased antioxidant capacity at its Elmira, Ontario, plant for the third time in less than two years. The company said it took the action to meet demand growth triggered by the latest upgrade for passenger car motor oils.
The expansion affects alkylated diphenylamine antioxidants marketed under the Naugalube brand name. Crompton, which is based in Middlebury, Conn., did not disclose the cost of the project or the plants capacity.
Officials attributed the project to API GF-4, the newest passenger car motor oil specification, which was adopted early this year and which will be eligible for commercial licensing July 31.
The new standard requires increased antioxidancy performance to better protect against deposits and oil thickening. At the same time, stricter limits on phosphorus and sulfur content are pushing oil formulators to use greater amounts of ashless antioxidants.
This new category will be rolled out in July of this year, and we want to be the first in servicing our customers with ample supply to meet this new industry specification, Global Transport Market Manager John D. Dennerlein said.
In addition to the three expansions at Elmira, Crompton also increased aminic antioxidant capacity at its Latina, Italy, plant in 2002.