The American Petroleum Institute this fall alerted 18 engine oil marketers of possible problems based on preliminary testing of 120 bulk oil samples. In 2008 significant oil quality problems turned up in 20 of 534 (3.75 percent) of the bulk and packaged API-licensed samples tested. APIs aftermarket audit program program checks on the quality of API-licensed engine oils sold in the retail marketplace worldwide. As of Nov. 5, API had collected 133 bulk and 159 packaged samples for testing for the...

MOSCOW – Although global lubricant consumption will start to recover in 2010 and in 2012 reach its pre-crisis level, recovery in Russias lubricants industry will lag, a Kline and Co. consultancy official said at an industry event in November. The global downturn has had its biggest impact on three groups of countries. Russia is standing in the most vulnerable group, comprised by such countries as Brazil, South Africa or even Australia, which are mostly dependent on export of raw materials...

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Mexico is importing finished lubricants from the United States at very competitive prices, causing a Globals vs. Locals price war and eroding margins for Mexican blenders, a Lubrizol executive said. Cost is a big factor. Top quality standards have not taken hold in Mexicos lubricants market, Roberto Vargas, Lubrizols General Director for Mexico, told the ICIS Pan-American Base Oils & Lubricants Conference here on Dec. 4. Vargas based his overview of the countrys b...

HOUSTON – Choice of viscosity modifier is critical to low-temperature performance in aged oils, in oils formulated with API Group III base stocks and in oils used in engines running on biodiesel, an Infineum expert said. Good low-temperature performance in fresh oil offers no assurance of satisfactory performance throughout the oils life, Infineums Laura Oliver, technical leader for viscosity modifiers, told the National Petrochemical and Refiners Associations International Lubricants and...

Pilot Chemical announced price increases for chemicals used in manufacturing of metalworking fluids and lubricants, and Oxea raised prices for solvents. Cincinnati-based specialty chemical supplier Pilot on Dec. 15 announced price increases effective Jan. 1, 2010, or as contracts allow on several chemicals used in metalworking fluids. Those include increases of 2 to 3 cents per pound on Aristonate sulfonates, 4 to 6 cents per pound on Aristonic acids, 2 to 6 cents per pound for Calimulse emulsi...