AXEL Christiernsson announced last Monday it has acquired the operating assets and the majority of other assets of Royal Mfg Co, LP. Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Royal Manufacturing will become a subsidiary of Axel Americas, operating as Axel Royal LLC. This acquisition will triple Axel’s grease production capacity in the United States.
Last week, Chevron announced a general price increase of all lubricating oils and greases up to 10% effective May 7, 2018. The previous week, ExxonMobil announced that its branded and unbranded Passenger Vehicle Lubricants, Commercial Vehicle Lubricants, Industrial, Marine & Aviation lubricants and greases will increase in price by up to 10 percent effective April 23, 2018.
Shell Oil last Tuesday announced that Gretchen Watkins, former CEO of Maersk Oil, will join Shell on May 1, 2018, and will be appointed EVP Unconventionals effective July 1, 2018. Watkins will assume the role of Shell Oil Company President and U.S. Country Chair on December 31, 2018.
Emergence of EVs to Have Marginal Impact on PCMO Demand
In the medium-term, electric vehicles will have a marginal impact on PCMO demand. Once battery costs and insufficient recharging stations are surpassed, EV penetration will rise fast and have a negative impact on PCMO demand. Between 2017 and 2040, U.S. PCMO demand will decline at a compound average annual rate (CAGR) of 1.0% to 1.5%, according to research and consulting firm Kline & Company.
In October 2016, Ford Motor advised that it only recommends oils that meet Ford WSS-M2C171-F1 for use in any of its diesel engines. In December 2016, Ford released a list of over 200 acceptable oils which has been updated and now includes nearly 400 acceptable oils. [FULL STORY]
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