Chemcentral Corp. said last week that it has reach an agreement to become Infineums exclusive distributor of branded additives for the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts in the United States, as well as in Canada. The arrangement covers crankcase and industrial additive packages, pour point depressants, viscosity modifiers and fuel additives, which previously were sold to customers directly. Chemcentral, which is based in Bedford Park, Ill., said the Infineum deal represents a new strategy to fo...

Total announced last week that it has begun selling Elf synthetic motor oils in the United States, an initiative aimed at helping the French energy giant gain a foothold in the worlds largest automotive lubricant market. Total is the fourth-largest oil and gas company in the world and a very large player in lubricants globally, Elf Automotive Market Manager for the United States Laurent Siret said. Now Total wants to do something in the United States and develop their brand recognition. We haven...

A fire broke out last week at ExxonMobils refinery in Port Jerome, France, curtailing production of some grades of base oil. Outside sources said the accident led the company to impose sales allocations – yet another blow for European lube blenders. ExxonMobil confirmed Friday that the fire occurred Feb. 6 in a vacuum pipestill. Spokeswoman Barbara E. Leatherwood-Gomez said the company was still working to determine the extent of damage and to set a schedule for conducting repairs and retu...

Specialty chemical supplier ICI Group announced last week that it will try to sell oleochemical subsidiary Uniqema in order to focus on other priorities. Uniqema manufactures surfactants and synthetic base stocks used in the lubricants and other industries, as well as specialty products such as compressor oils and refrigerator lubricants sold under the Emkarate brand. ICI, formally known as Imperial Chemicals Industries PLC, announced its plan for Uniqema Thursday as part of its report of the pa...

Chevron imposed allocations on base oil sales in the United States yesterday, a move that reflected a worsening supply scene.Additionalsymptoms arose in the form of a force majeure declaration by a white oils supplier and a report that another base oil supplier allocated sales of heavy oils. Meanwhile, the startup of the much-awaited expansion at Motivas Port Arthur, Texas, plant was postponed until next week, according to market sources. Chevron announced its allocations in a letter dated yeste...