Volume 12 Issue 12

SSY Base Oil Shipping Report

There is still a certain amount of tightness in vessel space in the U.S., and the Mediterranean continues to be active in Europe, but overall there is less new business quoted in either area this week. Asian markets are steady, if unspectacular. U.S. Gulf of Mexico The U.S. Gulf-to-Caribbean market is one of the more lively areas. Most ships have a forward program, but a few still can manage to accommodate parcels of 2,000 to 3,000 tons. Among all the vegetable oils, tallow, yellow grease and c...

Fast Lubes Ring Up $8.7B in Sales

The number of U.S. fast lubes stands at 16,005, down 711 stores from a year ago, according to National Oil & Lube News 2012 Tops in the Industry Ranking. NOLN published its annual lists of the largest fast lube chains and other oil change providers in its March 2012 issue, estimating industry sales in the U.S. will reach $8.7 billion this year, a decrease of $300 million from 2011. The 55 fast lube chains on this years list together operate 6,791 facilities, down 122 stores from last year...

Total Cuts Base Oil Output

Total temporarily cut base oil production at its Gonfreville, France, refinery on March 10, citing a weak market and economy, a company spokesperson confirmed to Lube Report. Located in the Normandy region, the Gonfreville refinery has Totals only wholly owned base oil plant in Europe. The Gonfreville plant has 9,600 barrels per day of API Group I capacity and 800 b/d Group III capacity, according to the LubesnGreases 2011 Guide to Global Base Oil Refining. It is partially halted, and for a wh...

U.S. Synlubes on the Upswing

U.S. demand for synthetic lubricants and functional fluids will grow more than 8 percent annually to $7.4 billion in 2015, boosted by modern equipments higher performance requirements and tougher environmental standards, projects a study by market research firm Freedonia Group. Freedonia pointed out gains will also come from expanding availability of high quality base stocks due to growing investment in new capacity, both in the United States and overseas. As the supply expands, original equipm...

HazComm Standard Revised

OSHA yesterday released the final rule revising its Hazard Communication Standard, to align with the United Nations global chemical labeling system. The changes to the existing Hazard Communication Standard will enable it to conform with the U.N.s Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. According to OSHA, the standard will be fully implemented in 2016 and will benefit workers by reducing confusion about chemical hazards in the workplace, facilitating safety trai...

New Lubes JV in Singapore

Hup Soon and AP Oil yesterday announced a 50-50 joint venture in Singapore to develop and produce lubricants under a new brand name, to be sold globally. AP Oil International Ltd. will be responsible for the competitive procurement and formulation of the lubricants products in accordance with the joint ventures specifications. Hup Soon will carry out marketing activities for the joint ventures brand. Both companies are based in Singapore. In the joint announcement, the partners said the joint ...

Gazproms Lube Sales Rise

Russian lubes producer Gazprom Neft-SMs automotive lubricants sales soared in 2011, boosted by new high-end products for domestic and international markets. Gazprom Neft-SMs increased its market share and last year held 14 percent of the Russian lubricants market, according to Gazprom Neft-SM General Director Alexandr Truhan. The company in 2009 sold 43,000 metric tons of automotive lubricants in Russia, accounting for 8 percent of the market, according to its own estimates. The Russian lubric...