Base oil exports from the United States climbed 12% to 4.1 million barrels in March – boosted by hefty increases in volumes sent to Mexico, Israel and the Netherlands, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Import volumes to the U.S. declined 6%.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font unveiled a plan recently to nationalize the country’s lithium industry, declaring that the nation should make the most of a rare economic opportunity. The young, left-leaning leader wants to designate a government entity that would eventually take control of the private companies that have made Chile the world’s second-largest lithium producer.

LubriSource purchased IFH Group’s global fluid storage and dispensing product line – long used by industries handling oils, lubricants and industrial fluids – and said it was part of its growth strategy to introduce its brand and expertise to customers globally.