Lube Report 25 March 2014

Send this e-newsletter to a friend March 25, 2014 Volume 1 Issue 12 IOM: Asian Oils Lag on Piston Deposits By Tim Sullivan • March 25, 2014 Engine oils in Asia tend to lag behind oils from Europe and the Americas in their ability to prevent deposits around piston ring belts, while Asian and European oils lag those from the Americas in terms of fuel efficiency. Read More Chinese Automakers Face Challenges By Tim Sullivan • March 25, 2014 Having the world's largest automobile market as their home creates opportunities for Chinese car and truck makers. But they also face big challenges, according to one observer, who says domestic independents need to reduce air emissions and improve their global business structures. Read More India Sets Fuel Economy Targets By K.Venkateshwar Rao • March 25, 2014 India recently announced a new schedule of mandates to raise the fuel efficiency of passenger cars over the next eight years. Observers say the rules will compel automakers to invest in new technologies and should help spur use of higher quality lubricants. Read More Briefly Noted March 25, 2014 Seoul-based chemical trader ISU Exachem Co. has been appointed export agency for the Hyundai Oilbank-Shell joint venture that is building an API Group II base oil plant in Daesan, South Korea. Exachem will be responsible for developing the 60 neutral and 150N market. Chevron Sri Lanka is building a U.S. $15 million blending plant in Sapugaskanda, Sri Lanka, to replace its existing facility in Kolonnawa. Glander International Bunkering, U.A.E., announced that Euwyn Tan joined its Singapore office as a bunker and lubricant trader. Read More Base Oil Reports Asia Base Oil Price Report There appear to be conflicting currents affecting base oil prices in Asia, with the low-viscosity grades exposed to upward pressure and the high-vis cuts seeing some softening. – by Gabriela Wheeler Read More