Shell announced that its Pennzoil-Quaker State Co. purchased a 49% interest in Blue Tide Environmental LLC, which plans to bring a Group II rerefinery onstream in Texas in 2024. Shell called the acquisition part of its effort to develop a circular economy for lubricants and improve the sustainability of its products. The price was not disclosed.

Oleochemical producer Oleon acquired a blending plant in Conroe, Texas, the company announced this week. Oleon’s esters are used in lubricants, including environmentally acceptable lubricants. The Belgium-based company bought the site for more than $50 million and plans to begin operating it in the first half of 2023, offering warehouse and blending services for a handful of markets, including lubricants.

Electric vehicles may reduce demand for automotive lubricants, but they do still require lubricants, and given the wide variety of designs being employed by original equipment manufacturers, it may take quite a large number of products to keep tomorrow’s car parc running. But industry is also exploring the possibility of using a single fluid for cooling and transmission lubrication.