Volume 11 Issue 4

Feds Launch Biobased Label

The U.S. Department of Agricultures BioPreferred Program on Thursday published its final rule to launch a voluntary product certification and labeling program for qualifying biobased products Feb. 21. Manufacturers, distributors or vendors of biobased products may apply for product certification and use the USDA Certified Biobased Product certification label on approved products. Eligible products are those considered wholly or significantly of biological ingredients, including renewable plant,...

Profits Slip at Valvoline, Up at SK

For the quarter ending Dec. 31, lubricant blender Valvoline posted increased sales but a slight decline in operating income, while SK Lubricants reported a rise in operating income and sales, compared to year-earlier figures. Valvoline According to parent company Ashland, Valvoline posted operating income of $65 million for the three months ending Dec. 31 (the first quarter of Ashlands fiscal year), down 3 percent from $67 million in the year-earlier period. Valvolines sales reached $440 million...

Boosting Lubes Research in India

Southwest Research Institute and Indias Council of Scientific and Industrial Research will cooperate on development of novel technologies in fuels research and engine development, including building up the councils lubricant evaluation laboratories. The organizations on Thursday signed a three-year agreement, through the councils Indian Institute of Petroleum Laboratory. They will establish a center to address Combustion Characteristics and Emissions of Future Fuels and Engine Development. Amon...

Russia: Fewer New Cars Need Less Oil

Engine oil demand for the Russian new-vehicle fleet is expected to slump 10 percent this year as an aftereffect of the new car sales slump in 2009, and foreign automotive brands will dominate, a market observer said. Tatyana Arbadzhi, marketing expert at the Moscow based Russian Automotive Market Research firm (RAMR), told the Engine Oil and Automobile Chemicals conference in November that new car sales in 2009 fell almost 50 percent compared to the year before. However, the volume of motor oil...

SSY Base Oil Shipping Report

An altogether better week all over. Europe saw much more action, both locally and on export business. The Americas remain snug, and freights are stable-to-firm. Asia joined the party too, with a busy week on home markets as well as exports. U.S. Gulf of Mexico The transatlantic trade has become even stronger, adding a few more dollars to last weeks rate increases. Xylene, ethanol, styrene and glycol are all in good demand for shipment to Europe. Rates into Mexico have appreciated slightly too. T...