Dow Chemical Co. last week announced it is adding production of several water soluble base fluids at the Optimal joint venture manufacturing plant in Malaysia. Manufacture of the new base fluids, for use by the Dow Ucon Fluids and Lubricants business, will start during the second quarter this year. The additional 50HB series fluidsexpand thenumber of productsavailable throughout Asia from Dow Ucon, which already sources a number of fluids and lubricants from the Optimal plant. Ucon fluids are u...

Repsol on Thursday said it signed a $47 million agreement to sell to Primax 123 service stations in Ecuador, including the companys lubricants and aviation fuels activities. Madrid, Spain-based oil company Repsol said that after the sale it will maintain a contract with Primax for marketing and distribution for the lubricants business, and a technical assistance contract for the aviation fuels business. Repsols sale also includes its industrial sales business in Ecuador, along with commercial in...

Global mineral base oil capacity now tops 949,000 barrels per day, up 1.3 percent from a year ago, according to the 2008 Guide to Global Base Oil Refining. Worldwide, API Group II and III capacity each jumped 10 percent, naphthenic capacity rose 1.5 percent, while Group I capacity declined 1.7 percent. Published this month by LubesnGreases Magazine, the completely updated 2008 Guide lists 165 of the worlds key mineral base oil plants, giving locations and capacities. The Guide includes more than...

Lubrizol Corp last week announced across-the-board price increases, on the heels of similaractions by Dow Chemical, Huntsman and Ciba. Meanwhile, Texas Petrochemicals said it will raise prices on polyisobutylene, Oxea announced plans to increase prices for carboxylic acids, Dow Chemical plans to raise prices for oxygenated solvents, and Kraton Polymers said it will up prices for its polymers. Lubrizol Corp., parent of Lubrizol Additives, on Friday announced a global price increase for all produc...

General Motors yesterday joined the California Environmental Protection Agency and its Integrated Waste Management Board in the states 3,000 Mile Myth campaign to educate drivers on reducing motor oil consumption by following their automakers recommended oil drain intervals. In response to research showing that 73 percent of California drivers change their oil more frequently than their vehicle manufacturers recommend, the Board has launched a new public information program to educate drivers to...

The Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association on Monday said it is preparing to submit comments to the Federal Trade Commission, renewing its criticism of pricing practices of major oil companies, particularly for long delays between their base oil price increases and their ensuing finished lubricant price hikes. Independent blenders buy base oils from the majors and compete against them in the sale of finished lubricants. ILMA continues to be concerned that its members are covering their ...