All markets are a little subdued after the Easter holidays, but Europe is probably still the busiest area, particularly on the domestic coastal trades. The U.S. has had a better week and might eclipse Europe if demand keeps up. Asia has been left looking rather slow by comparison but things may pick up once work resumes after local holidays. U.S. Gulf U.S. Gulf-to-Far East has probably had its busiest week of the year so far. A lot of material has been fixed, including styrene, ethylene dichlori...

Russian lubricant demand fell more than 10 percent to 1.5 million metric tons in 2014 due to sluggish industrial output and lower new car sales, a Moscow-based consultancy said. The economy and lubricant demand weakened in the face of Western sanctions over Russias actions in Ukraine, the steep slide of the ruble in the fourth quarter and low consumer spending, according to InfoTek. After internal demand stayed sluggish at 1.7 million tons over the last few years, it was reduced to 1.5 million t...

In an international arbitration court, a World Bank tribunal ruled that it didnt have jurisdiction in a 2012 case in which the Netherlands-incorporated holding company of Venezuelas largest lubricant company, Venoco, argued that Venezuela wrongfully expropriated its assets in 2010. The tribunal decided that although it is internationally held, holding company Venoklims owners are Venezuelan nationals and therefore not truly international investors. Venoklims dispute stems from Venezuelan Preside...

WD-40 reported net income of $11.3 million for the quarter ending Feb. 28, up 10 percent from a year earlier, with net sales up 3 percent at $97.3 million. Earnings per diluted share reached 76 cents, up from 67 cents a year earlier. San Diego-based WD-40s fiscal year goes from Sept. 1 to Aug. 31. Net sales decreased 1 percent in the Americas to $44.7 million, increased 1 percent in Europe, Middle East and Africa to $38.7 million, and jumped 28 percent in Asia-Pacific to $14 million, all compare...

Hoganas AB, maker of powdered metals for the metallurgical industry, will acquire Wales, U.K.-based lubricants manufacturer Abril Industrial Waxes Ltd. on June 1. Terms were not disclosed. Hoganas acquired 19 percent of Abril in 2010 and is now using its option to acquire the companys remaining shares. Abrils waxes and lubricants for industrial purposes and consumer goods will be further developed, Hoganas stated. Production will remain in Pyle, Wales, and Hoganas plans additional investment in ...