Volume 2 Issue 6
SSY Base Oil Shipping Report
February 6, 2019The U.S. market is reasonably strong. Europe, on the other hand, is mostly soft with an excess of available space. Asia is now off celebrating the Chinese New Year, but had been fairly robust over the past week.-by Adrian Brown
Agreements Near for GF-6
February 6, 2019Automakers and the lubricant industry are closer to wrapping up the long-delayed ILSAC GF-6 passenger car motor oil category after the International Lubricant Standardization and Advisory Committee issued a Jan. 31 response to a plan proposed by the American Chemistry Council last month.
South America Survives Without PdVSA Base Oils
February 6, 2019The sidelining of base oil plants operated by Venezuelas national oil company may be crippling that nations lubricant industry, but markets elsewhere in South America are managing comfortably, industry insiders and observers say, thanks to dependence on other sources and plentiful supplies from the United States.
Researchers Make Base Oils from Non-food Plants
February 6, 2019Researchers at a University of Delaware-partnered lab say they have discovered a way to create lubricant base oils from non-food biomass and fatty acids. The team, most of whom are affiliated with the schools Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation, also claimed the new product could minimize the use of additives due to its customizable properties.
From Other Editions of Lube Report
February 6, 2019Briefly Noted
February 6, 2019Dallas-based HollyFrontier Corp.announced it completed the previously announced acquisition of hydrocarbon chemicals manufacturerSonnebornfor U.S.$655 million last week.Calumet Specialty Products Partners L.P. outlined Phase II of its self-help program, including completion last year of new packaging lines at its facility in Shreveport, Louisiana, and at its Royal Purple lubricant blender/packager subsidiary in Porter, Texas. The company also listed a commercialization project for Biosynthetic Technologies – acquired last year – at Calumets Missouri esters plant as one of its new quick-hit projects targeted for competition during 2019-2021.MFG Chemical, a Dalton, Georgia-based specialty chemical manufacturer in the lubricants market, named Darin Gyomory as chief financial officer.