The U.S. Department of Agriculture has published draft guidelines requiring federal agencies to use biobased products, a mandate aimed at spurring demand for lubricants and other products made from crops. The proposed regulation would require government agencies to buy materials such as motor oils, hydraulic fluids and metalworking fluids made from plants as long as they perform adequately and do not cost significantly more than conventional alternatives. Observers said it should help create a c...

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a letter recently denying a decade-old request by the United Autoworkers to lower limits on exposure levels to metalworking fluid mist. The agency said it decided not to act because the body of scientific evidence did not make a compelling case that current exposure levels cause serious health problems and because it has more important priorities. The UAW and the United Steelworkers of America sued the Secretary of Labor in October in...

Lubrizol Corp. announced last week that it has agreed to acquire the specialty additive business of chemical supplier Avecia. Lubrizol, which has set a goal of growing faster through acquisitions, said the deal will boost its inks and coatings business. But the company also reaffirmed its commitment to the lubricant industry. Avecia Additives develops, manufactures and markets high-value additives that are based on polymeric dispersion technology and used in coatings and inks. It has annual rev...