Dale Walsh is now president of Chevron Global Lubricants in San Ramon, Calif., following an appointment that took effect last month. Walsh first joined Chevron USA 23 years ago, upon receiving his MBA degree from California State University, Sacramento, in 1983. He has served in a wide range of roles in its marketing operation, and most recently was vice president, Latin America, at Global Marketing, responsible for all activities related to building the company’s fuels and convenience st...

Dow Biocides and BASF have recently hiked prices for chemicals used in lubricant manufacturing. Dow Biocides announced a global price increase of 10 percent for both list and off list prices of its entire DBNPA (2,2-Dibromo-3-nitrilopropianamide) product portfolio, effective globally on Dec. 1. DBNPA is a broad spectrum biocide used to control bacteria, yeast and algae in metalworking fluid applications, along with water treatment, pulp and paper, reverse osmosis, oil and gas. Dow Biocides pro...

A recent Frost & Sullivan online analyst briefing on the U.S. and European metalworking fluid markets concluded niche markets provide the best opportunity for growth, while many end-users continue to look outside the United States for locations to open new facilities. In the U.S., Frost & Sullivan said total metalworking fluids revenues will be $909.4 million for 2006, and will increase to $988.7 million by 2013. The annual revenue growth rate is about 1.6 percent in 2006 and is proje...

Quaker Chemical Corp. on Nov. 9 announced it has acquired the 40 percent equity interest of Chinese joint venture partner Wuxi Gao Ren Jie Chemical Co. for an undisclosed amount. Quaker Chemical said the acquisition is part of its Asian expansion strategy. Quaker Chemical formed the joint venture in 1995 to produce and market its products in China. The company expects the transaction to be immediately accretive to earnings. Quaker Chemical also announced that it will expand its manufacturing an...

The blending and filling operations of Harvey, La.-based Evans Industries, acquired earlier this month by diversified container maker Greif Inc., are now under the management of Delta Petroleum Co. In September, Greif purchased St. Rose, La.-headquartered lubricant compounder and packager Delta from an investment firm. Evans Industries claimed to be the largest manufacturer, contract packager, reconditioner and transporter of steel drums in the southern United States. Greif Communications Direc...

HOUSTON – As Group III base oils find wider use in engine oils, pressure has predictably grown to relax rules that govern the flexibility of their use. But an ExxonMobil representative warned this month that the industry should conduct plenty of tests and proceed cautiously before loosening guidelines for interchanging Group III stocks in licensed engine oils. Otherwise, he said during a Nov. 9 presentation here at the National Petrochemical and Refiners Associations International Lubrica...