Youre a metalworking fluid expert? Sez who? The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers is ready to offer a reliable gauge for answering that question – the first certification program designed to identify individuals with expertise in the field. The society announced last week that it will offer the first exam for its new Certified Metalworking Fluid Specialist program on May 19 at the organizations annual meeting in Las Vegas. Officials said they expect the program to become a ...

Base oil production in the United States climbed 2.3 percent in 2004, according to newly released data from the Department of Energys Energy Information Administration. The increase was mostly on the paraffinic side of the market and occurred despite increased feedstock competition for fuels refining. Observers speculated that last years total may have risen due to higher production at Group II plants and because refiners had fewer operational problems than the year before. There probably was we...

LONDON – Lubricant demand in South America is at last growing and by 2007 the regions need will pass 2.5 million tons per year, from about 2.3 million metric tons in 2003, predicts an official with Brazilian oil giant Petrobras. That may not sound like much, but after more than six stagnant years, its a cause for celebration. Political and social tumult certainly have cast a shadow over the regions industrial progress, but there are signs of recovery, says Renato Marques de Oliveira, lubri...

In a move that creates one of the largest suppliers of chemicals for the lubricants industry, Crompton Corp. and Great Lakes Chemical Corp. announced last week they have agreed to a $1.8 billion merger. The companies said the union will create a company that is bigger and stronger than either individually. They added that they plan to deliver up to $100 million in cost savings, which will probably entail some job cuts. It takes us a long way toward our goal of holding leading global positions in...