Solvay will build a new PTFE micronized powder plant in Changshu, China, to serve growing local demand, the company announced Friday. Production is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2007, pending government approvals. Solvays micronized PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), marketed under the brand name Polymist, is used in high performance lubricants, cosmetics, high gloss inks, heat resistant materials, and other applications. Demand in Asia, and particularly in China, for micronized PTFE is...

Valvoline announced Friday that it has completed its purchase of Buis Oil, a local Valvoline distributor based in Noblesville, Ind. Terms were not disclosed. Founded in 1984, Buis Oil distributed Valvoline motor oils and other lubricants, antifreeze and coolant, and automotive chemicals and supplies. The business is now directly owned by Valvoline, a division of Ashland Inc., and is established as a direct-market operation. Buis Oil has been an outstanding distributor for more than 20 years, sa...

Croda International Plc. has reached an agreement to buy ICI Groups oleochemical subsidiary, Uniqema, the companies announced last week. Croda said it was attracted by Uniqemas presence in consumer and personal care industries; the London-based specialty chemical manufacturer recently shed some lubricant operations. The deal will cost Croda 410 million (U.S. $758 million) in cash and assumption of debt. It is subject to approval by regulators and Croda shareholders and is expected to be complet...

A Canadian start-up is planning to join the ranks of North Americas rerefiners. Saskalta Corp. is building a used oil processing plant at the former site of Wolverine Resources, which went out of business six years ago. Co-founder Greg Wilkie, who will become president and chief executive officer, said it seems an opportune time to enter the base oil market, given the surge in prices and strong demand. Feedstock costs have gone up some, but if you look at whats happened to [base oil] sales price...

ExxonMobil is still top dog in the global base oil market, but the Royal Dutch/Shell family closed the gap a bit the past year. ExxonMobil remains by far the worlds largest supplier, controlling capacity of nearly 150,000 barrels per day, according to LubesnGreases 2006 Guide to Global Base Oil Refining. The worlds biggest energy company stood pat on base oil assets over the past year, adding just 500 b/d to its total capacity. Second-ranked Shell gained ground thanks to an enormous expansion b...