Paradigm Media Group is moving ahead with its plan to spotlight lubricants on the small screen, but it will have to do so without help from the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association. ILMA informed members Friday that it has backed away from a previous decision to help production house Paradigm develop content for a series of short educational programs to air on public television. The trade group said it became concerned about the possibility of appearing to endorse individual lube comp...

The Marathon Ashland Petroleum base oil plant in Catlettsburg, Ky., seems likely to become the sole property of Marathon Oil Corp., now that MAPs owners have amended a deal to break up the partnership. Ashland Inc. and Marathon announced Thursday that they have adjusted terms on their year-old agreement for Marathon to buy Ashlands 38 percent stake in MAP. The companies amended the agreement in hopes of shaking loose a deal that has been grounded for months for failure to receive favorable tax t...

MUMBAI, INDIA – Gulf Oil Corp. on April 20 announced an agreement to buy a controlling share of its parent companys subsidiary in China, part of a plan to ramp up investment in order to grow Gulfs lubricant business in China and in neighboring countries. Gulf Oil Corp., which is based in Mumbai, India, has already decided to invest $5 million to provide a new blending plant for the Chinese company, Gulf Oil Yantai (Co.) Ltd. In the aftermath of this strategic investment Gulf Oil Corp. has ...

Friday marked the expiration of licenses issued by the American Petroleum Institute for engine oils meeting the ILSAC GF-3 passenger car motor oil specification, another step in the transition to the markets newest standard, ILSAC GF-4. The expiration means marketers should cease packaging GF-3 oils in containers bearing APIs trademarked starburst certification symbol, meant to identify oils meeting the latest industry standards for engine protection and fuel economy. Realistically, GF-3 product...