The U.S. and the Middle East Gulf/India region are hotspots, with firmer freights throughout, while Europe has been slightly more muted due to another holiday weekend. Asian markets are not in great shape comparatively, although volumes do appear to be steady. U.S. Gulf Transatlantic eastbound has been the most dynamic of the U.S. markets with a succession of requirements, and as SSY has reported for the past couple of weeks, space has thinned out to the extent that freights have rocketed. On th...

Fuchs Petrolub SE announced Monday that it has acquired Deutsche Pentosin-Werke GmbH, a privately owned blender with extensive ties to the auto industry. Pentosin, which is based in Wedel, Germany, is not a large lubricant company, having achieved sales volumes of 135 million (U.S. $151 million). But it manufactures a relatively wide variety of lubricants used in automobiles – some in small volumes – and claims that at least one Pentosin product is found in most modern vehicles. With...

California is considering a bill that encourages the recycling of used motor oil derived from plant- or animal-based feedstocks. NORA (An Association of Responsible Recyclers) claims it would disrupt the recycling of petroleum-based lubes. The states Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee voted last month in favor of AB 628, introduced by Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica). The bill, which states that biobased lubricants can be recycled along with petroleum-based lubes, is now pending co...

Nigeria will soon increase its tariff on imported finished lubricants and greases from 10 percent to 30 percent. Suppliers lauded the change as a way of supporting domestic production and claimed it will boost the quality of the market. At the current level, Nigeria in line with the rest of the Economic Community of West African States Common External Tariff, which imposes a 10-percent duty on finished lubes and greases imported into the region. But the Nigerian government has voted to add an ex...

Russian motorists are generally aware of what engine oil goes into their vehicles and they follow drain interval recommendations, according to results of a survey conducted by analytics firm Autostat. The Russian company said respondents also favored foreign brands of oil by wide margins, with ExxonMobils Mobil brand being the most popular. Autostat, which focuses on the auto industry, surveyed motorists across the country last month. On May 13 it announced the results, which are based on respon...