Valvoline significantly increased its share of oil changes performed by independent quick lubes, according to results of a survey conducted by an industry magazine. The survey, by National Oil and Lube News, also found that quick lube profit margins improved this year, despite a slight decrease in customer traffic. National Oil and Lube News, which is based in Lubbock, Texas, conducted its annual survey during the summer and published findings in its September issue. Responses were divided into ...

The U.S. grease market has been shrinking for years, but one of its biggest suppliers is sprouting plants left and right. Chemtool Inc. last week announced the opening of a new plant in Elkhorn, Wis. In addition, officials said the company already intends to expand the new facility next year, along with its main grease plant in Crystal Lake, Ill. As if that werent enough, Chemtool is developing plans to build plants in Brazil and China. “We’ve had healthy growth, but its really been going on...

Several more chemical companies announced price increases the past week for additives used in the lubricant industry. Sources said additive costs may keep going up, even if crude oil prices do not. Crompton Corp.s Petroleum Additives business announced Thursday that it will raise barium sulfonate prices between 29 percent and 38 percent, effective Oct. 1. Officials said the changes – which affect neutral and basic barium sulfonates sold under the Petronate brand – are due to higher c...

ConocoPhillips has entered an agreement to market a longwall mining fluid produced by Quaker Chemical, the companies announced last week. The product, Quintolubric 814, was developed to serve as an all-around fluid that can be used for any lubricant application in any longwall mining machinery with a variety of water chemistries. Quaker Chemical officials said they entered the alliance because of ConocoPhillips extensive presence supplying lubricants to the mining industry. ConocoPhillips offici...