There is still substantial activity in European coastal markets, although not at the same pace as the previous week. Asia has also had increased activity, while the U.S. remains rather flat. U.S. Gulf Styrene continues to be a hot item on the eastbound routes, and thanks to demand for products such as acetic acid, phenol, acrylonitrile and glycols, this route is probably the most active of all U.S. routes. Rates are generally firm, with levels much the same as last week. The only base oil noted ...

A lubricants association asked OSHA last week to state that end users wont be cited for noncompliance to Hazard Communication Standards if suppliers have not provided labels and data sheets required by June 1. The Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association warns that if end users such as automakers are exposed to the Occupational Safety and Health Administrations penalties, they are likely to reject shipments, source products elsewhere, and hold vendors accountable for noncompliance fines. ...

Lukoil plans to permanently shut down its API Group I base oil plant in Nizhny Novgorod early next month, a source close to Lukoil activities told Lube Report. According to my knowledge, the company is now making all necessary preparations to shut down the capacity by April 1, said the individual, who spoke on condition of anonymity because Lukoil has not officially announced the closing. The plant will be reconfigured to produce light petrochemical products. When used by oil refining specialist...

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Emirates Lube Oil Co (Elco) confirmed to Lube Report it commenced operations at a new grease plant located in Umm al-Quwain in October last year. Elco also created a joint venture with Gurgaon, India-based Siddharth Greases and Lubes Pvt., National Lube Oil FZ, which is marketing greases under Elcos flagship National Lube brand. Elco claims the newly commissioned grease plant is one of the most sophisticated plants in the Middle East, and according to Elco Mar...

Hydrodec said it plans for all six production trains at its rebuilt and expanded transformer oil refinery in Ohio to be operational starting May 20. The London company on Monday issued a trading and projects update, including an update on its Canton, Ohio, plant rebuild and expansion project. Hydrodec is rebuilding the Canton transformer oil rerefinery after a fire destroyed the plants processing unit in December 2013, with two new trains and replacement of the four original trains. The company ...

Cosan Lubrificantes reported increased revenues in the fourth quarter and full year, compared to 2013s fourth quarter and full year, while 2014 profits and revenue were up for Fuchs Petrolub, compared to a year earlier. Fuchs Independent lubricants blender Fuchs Petrolub SE posted 219.9 million (U.S. $240.2 million) in profit after tax, for 2014, up 6.4 percent from 218.6 million in 2013. The Mannheim, Germany-based company released provisional earning figures on Feb. 20 and full figures, includ...