Volume 32, Issue 8

China-based Richful Lube Additive Co. Ltd. was in the midst of a large global expansion. Then the European Union sanctioned the company for allegedly supplying Russia’s military • Incorrect conclusions and lack of understanding lead the power generation industry to blame Group II base stocks for increasing oil deposits in power generation engines. Recounting how experts got it wrong. • Evolving performance standards for passenger car engine oils have narrowed formulator base stock options, making base oil supply more vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions. • Participants in a Lubes’n’Greases webinar discussed how fall-out from the war between the United States, Israel and Iran has roiled base oil markets around the world. • June’s ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran raised hopes that the global base oil supply crisis might start to ease. • Automobile and lubricant industries in North America have begun the process to develop an engine oil specification for hybrid electric cars.