Volume 14 Issue 4

SSY Base Oil Shipping Report

Asia is a lot quieter in advance of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Europe is a little slower on the coastal routes while a shortage of space is limiting deep-sea activity. The U.S. remains unchanged for a further week. U.S. Gulf Nothing much has changed in the U.S. over the past week. What has become apparent, however, is that there is very little open space remaining on any route out of the U.S. Gulf for January loading. So far, few charterers have attempted to test rates for February shipm...

Another U.S. Rerefinery Planned

Alabama Green Lubricants completed debt financing for its Alabama rerefining project, expected to be operational in mid-2015 with 32 million gallons per year of used oil processing capacity. The refinery will have an estimated 22 million to 23 million gallons base oil production capacity, Alabama Green Lubricants CEO and Founder Ramki Srinivasan told Lube Report. The company selected Childersburg, Ala., as the site for its first rerefinery. Childersburg Industrial park is served by both CSX and ...

LSC's Thwaites Steps Up, Milam Retires

Lubricating Specialties Co. President Sydney Thwaites and Vintage Capital Partners II, L.P. have acquired full ownership of the independent blender, as retiring Chairman and CEO Steve Milam becomes an advisor. LSC named Thwaites – who was promoted to president/chief operating officer in early 2013 – president and CEO, and the rest of the companys senior management team will remain in place. Milam will take on an advisory role for a period of time as the management team transitions. W...

Cars Drive Brazils Lube Demand

A booming automotive market has pulled Brazils lubricant demand to sixth largest in the world, according to an IHS report published late last year. Brazil now has around 30 million passenger cars, which is double the amount it had in 2000. According to IHS Chemical Special Report: Market Study, Lubricants in Brazil, the increase in passenger cars was paralleled by a 33 percent growth in finished lubes consumption since 2004. The country now consumes 1.2 million metric tons per year, which is aro...

Metalloid Expands in Texas

Metalworking fluids manufacturer Metalloid Corp. opened a new 54,000 square foot facility in Jacksonville, Texas, that includes laboratory, office and manufacturing capabilities. It replaces an older facility in Jacksonville. This expansion was necessary to support business growth in both the HVAC and metalworking market segments, the company said in a news release. Metalloid manufactures specialty lubricants, industrial cleaners and corrosion preventatives for metal processors globally. Markets...

EU Clears Lukoil's Austria Deal

The European Commission on Jan. 15 approved Lukoils acquisition of Austrian energy group OMVs non-retail lubricants business, including a 35,000 tons per year blending plant. Under the EU merger regulation, the commission cleared the acquisition, the European Unions executive body said in a Jan. 16 news release. The commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would not raise competition concerns given the parties moderate combined market positions resulting from the proposed transaction, ...

Publishers Note: Lube Report Asia Is Here!

Lube Report Asia has launched, bringing breaking news of Asia’s vibrant lube industry to your inbox every Tuesday. Check out the current issue and subscribe today at www.LubeReportAsia.com. Free to subscribers worldwide. Don’t miss Gabriela Wheelers weekly Asian Base Oil Price Report; it has moved to Lube Report Asia. And under Tim Sullivan’s editorial direction, Lube Report Asia offers insights and original reporting for and about Asia’s lubricant, base oil, additive, an...

Briefly Noted

Biodiesel producerRenewable Energy GroupacquiredSyntroleum, which proposed but never built one of the earliest GTL base oil plants.Koda Distribution GroupsMonson Cos.will representSolazymes high oleic algal oil in the United States and Canada.Auto Future Tech, anAlfardan Groupportfolio company, will distributeCastrols automotive lubricants in Qatar.