Quaker State wants to join Castrol, Valvoline and Mobil 1 in the marketing boxing ring to decide whose synthetic motor oil has better wear protection, but the question is whether any of the three other brands will accept the challenge. On Friday Quaker State invited Castrol, Valvoline and Mobil 1 to a motor oil challenge, a one-time Sequence IVA engine test to determine which brands synthetic motor oil provides better wear protection. The deadline to reply is March 27 at 5 p.m. Eastern Standard...

A New York bankruptcy court on Friday approved Chemturas first day motions in its recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, which will allow for continuation of normal business operations during the specialty chemical manufacturers restructuring process. Chemtura and 26 of its U.S. affiliates filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on March 18, citing significant decreases in liquidity and cash flow due to a market decline in order volumes in recent months because of the global economic recession...

Lanxess AG has started up its new lubricant oil additives manufacturing plant in Qingdao, China, the company announced Friday. The new plant cost 5 million (U.S. $6.8 million) and will initially employ 20 people. Operated by Lanxess subsidiary Rhein Chemie, the production facility received all governmental approvals and was ready for production by the end of 2008. At the new facility, Rhein Chemie plans to focus on manufacturing customized Additin brand additive formulations for industrial lubr...

Green Earth Technologies biodegradable G-Oil 5W-30 motor oil can now display the American Petroleum Institutes donut service symbol. It is the first biobased motor oil to receive an API license. Its been almost two years in the making and a true team effort, but I am happy to say that G-Oil motor oil is finally ready for retail, said Jeffrey Loch, cofounder and chief marketing officer of Green Earth Technologies. The Stamford, Conn.-based company certified to API that its 5W-30 motor oil meets ...

Whereas most long-haul routes enjoyed another productive week, the same cannot be said for most coastal routes, with the exception of the United States. Inter-European business is characterised by fierce competition from owners for almost any cargo, and freights display a weak tendency. Inter-Asian markets are also fiercely competitive, especially for the larger cargoes above 5,000 tons. Otherwise, demand is good for chemicals, including base oils, from Europe and U.S. Gulf of Mexico to Asia, bu...