U.S. polyethylene prices will be high and tight, averaging over 60 cents per pound for the next 18 months, an industry consultant told last weeks meeting of the Petroleum Packaging Council. But the price for this key building block of lubricant containers is forecast to ease downward in 2007, dropping to 40 cents per pound by 2010. Polyethylene is used to make a range of lubricant packages, including motor oil bottles, plastic pails and drums, and composite IBCs. While PE can be derived from cru...

German packaging supplier Mauser Group announced last week that it has reached an agreement to acquire Russell-Stanley Holdings Inc., one of the largest manufacturers of steel drums and plastic containers for North Americas lubricant industry. Mauser officials said the deal will allow the company to consolidate its position in North America. It already operates six production sites in the United States. In addition, Russell-Stanleys plastic drum business has for 20 years been based on a manufact...

Shrader Tire and Oil Co. has opened a new 200,000 sq. ft. lubricant and tire distribution center to meet its growing markets in Michigan, the company announced last week. A Chevron lubricant distributor, Shrader installed more than 250,000 gallons of lubricant storage under roof at the new facility. Based in Toledo, Ohio, Shrader supplies tires and lubricants to commercial truck fleets and to other industries in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. The new distribution center in Melvindale, Mich., includ...

Hurricane Katrina laid some punches on the U.S. lubricant industry as it barreled ashore Monday. Chevron Oronites main additive plant in the United States was caught up in the devastation that overwhelmed New Orleans, as was a primary terminal for Group III base oils marketed by ConocoPhillips. Both companies said little information was available about the status of facilities, making it impossible to predict when they might reopen. The monster storm also appeared to have shut down a few blendin...

Hatco Corp. and Celanese Chemicals on Thursday announced plans to close their German joint venture Estech GmbH, a three-year-old manufacturer of polyol esters. New Jersey-based Hatco said the business did not take off as the partners had hoped. Hatco was doing business in Europe before and formed the joint venture hoping it would grow, Hatco Vice President of Public Relations David J. Mason said. It didnt grow as quickly as we thought, and it doesnt look likely to grow in the future. Estechs pla...