Pertamina Lubricants has launched the first phase of operations of the Jakarta Production Unit, the largest integrated lubricant plant in Indonesia. The facility consists of a lube oil blending plant with a capacity of 270 million liters per year, a grease plant with a capacity of 8,000 metric tons per year, and a viscosity modifier plant with a capacity of 14 million liters per year.

LUBCON LUBRICANTS ASIA PACIFIC Inc., subsidiary of Maintal, Germany-based Lubricant Consult (LUBCON) GmbH has officially opened its new 1,200 square meter lubricant production site in Binan, Philippines, on the island of Luzon, to supply the increasing demand of the Asian market. LUBCON did not disclose the production capacity of the plant.

DuPont and Dow Chemical last Friday announced that they have agreed to merge. The combined company, which will be named DowDuPont, will merge into a $130 billion giant and then split again into three companies. Dow Chemical is a major producer and marketer of polyalkylene glycol (PAG) synthetic base stocks with plants in Brazil, Netherlands, Spain and US (2 plants).

HollyFrontier announced last Monday that George Damiris is being promoted to President and CEO. Mr. Damiris has been Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since September 2014. This promotion will be effective January 1, 2016. Also announced, Michael Jennings will assume the position of Executive Chairman of HollyFrontier Corporation on January 1, 2016.

Oil re-refiner Hydrodec announced on December 4 that Ian Smale will step down as Chief Executive of the Company by mutual agreement. The company also announced the appointment of its current Chief Financial Officer, Chris Ellis, as Acting Chief Executive with immediate effect. Chris’ appointment is for an initial term of up to 6 months and Chris will, in the near term, undertake the roles of both Acting CEO and CFO.

• Calumet Reduces Prices of Its Group II Oils (Calpar 80, Calpar 100, Calpar 150 and Calpar 325) by 10 CPG Effective 12/10/15
• Chevron Reduces Prices of Its USGC 100R (by 10 CPG) ,220R (by 15 CPG) and 600R (by 10 CPG) Effective 12/09/15
• Flint Hills Resources Reduces Prices of Its Group II 100-HC and 230-HC by 10 CPG, and Its 70/75-HC and 600-HC by 13 CPG Effective December 9
• According to Sources, ExxonMobil Decreases Prices of Its CORE 100, 150 and 300 (Group I) by 10 CPG; No Change to 600 and BS
• Bosch Sued In Federal Court Over VW Role
• ZF Complete Its Acquisition of Industrial Gears and Wind Turbine Gear Business of Bosch Rexroth AG
• Pep Boys Accepts Sweetened $15.50 Per Share Bid from Bridgestone, Snubbing Counteroffer From Billionaire Investor Carl Icahn
• Jurong Port and Oiltanking Singapore Sign Joint Venture Agreement for New Storage Terminal in Singapore