China is now neck-and-neck with the United States as the world's largest lubricant market. Estimates differ about which market is bigger but not about which will be bigger in the future.

Base oil capacity additions globally are expected to challenge the traditional trade flow of base stocks from Asia-Pacific to other regions.

Japans Idemitsu Kosan Co. will supply finished lubricants from its blending plant in Vietnam to Southeast Asia by next year to strengthen its lubricant supply chain in the region.

China National Offshore Oil Co. has been promoting its co-branded HydroPure finished lubricants that were introduced earlier this year through an expanding network of branded service centers, cooperation with more dealerships and increased online marketing.

China Rerun Chemical said a London stock exchange acted precipitously suspending trading of its stock last week after the company was asked to commission an independent review of its finances.