Major oil companies informed U.S. customers of finished lubricant price hikes that go into effect from mid-April through early May, most pointing to increases in base oil, additives and packaging costs as key factors. That comes on the heels of a set of increases that went into effect from early February through early March. On March 11, Shell notified customers of price increases up to 9 percent effective April 18. In some instances, prices for specific products may change in amounts that fa...

After the turbulent introduction last year of three new passenger car engine oil categories – ILSAC GF-5, API SN and GM’s Dexos1 – 2011 seems idyllic. Enjoy it while you can, says Pat Fetterman of Infineum USA, because the next few years will see mounting pressure on those who develop, test and manufacture engine oils. Test development will be a key focus in both passenger car and heavy-duty sectors, along with the need to keep up with rapidly changing needs for transmission fl...

U.S. fast lubes total 16,716, up 185 stores from a year ago and the first such growth in more than three years, according to National Oil & Lube News 2011 Tops in the Industry Ranking. NOLN published its annual lists of the largest fast lube chains and other oil change providers in its March 2011 issue, and estimated that industry sales in the U.S. will reach more than $9 billion this year, an increase of $100 million from 2010. Much of that sales increase will come from the fast lube secto...

The Federal Aviation Administration proposed a $227,500 civil penalty against Dover Chemical for attempting to send sulfur monochloride, a chemical used in metalworking fluids, via UPS air shipping in June 2010. The FAA alleged that Dover Chemical offered sulfur monochloride to UPS for transportation by air June 15, 2010, from the companys Hammond, Ind., facility to its Dover, Ohio, location. Hazardous materials regulations prohibit carriage of sulfur monochloride aboard any type of aircraft, ...

Chemicals distributor Univar announced Monday the opening of a 1.5 million lubricant depot at its Gothenburg, Sweden, facility. The depot will become the primary receiving hub for Shell lubes destined for the Nordic markets. Univar, which is based in Redmond, Washington, said the depot has capacity to handle more than 10 million liters of lubricants per year. In addition to the storage facilities, the project added a laboratory that will be used to check the quality of products delivered there....

LONDON – In Brazil, where biofuels are widely used, Ipiranga found that biodiesel accumulation in lubricants affects cold starts, can cause gel formation, requires more antioxidant additives, and shortens drain intervals. We need to learn a lot about biofuels and lubricants, Sergio Luiz Camacho Viscardi, technical manager for fuels and lubricants at Ipiranga Produtos de Petroleo, told the ICIS World Base Oils & Lubricants Conference here on Feb. 25. Ipiranga, headquartered in Rio de...

Demand has kicked in after the initial uncertainty following the earthquake in Japan. Now that traders have a clearer picture of pricing, we see the markets in Europe and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico as distinctly busier, whilst Asian markets are no less active than before. U.S. Gulf of Mexico There has been a steady increase in the amount of trade generated from the U.S. Gulf. At one point it looked as there could be a surplus of tonnage in the area, but now it is rare to see a ship fully open in t...