Sinopec, China's largest integrated energy and chemical group, opened its new S$134 (US$106) million lubricant plant in Singapore last Thursday, its first outside China. Sinopec said its Singapore plant, which has an initial production capacity of 100,000 tons of finished lubricants a year, will serve predominantly the Asia Pacific market.

PT Pertamina, SK Lubricants Company, and PT Patra SK have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to conduct a feasibility study in order to increase production and marketing capability of the Cilacap lube base oil refinery in Central Java, Indonesia, and also produce Group II base oils.

Global energy and commodity price reporting agency Argus announced last Friday it has launched assessments for European Group II base oils prices. These are the first assessments in Europe for Group II base oils. Europe, with production still focused on Group I base oils, is a key destination for Group II base oils originating from markets such as the US and Asia-Pacific.

Chevron Lubricants has announced that it will be adding an additional storage facility for Group II base oil in Eastham, England. This is Chevron’s third Group II supply hub in Europe in addition to storage facilities in Antwerp, Belgium and Hamburg, Germany. A complete product line will be inventoried at the facility, including Group II grades, 100R, 220R, 600R and Group II+, 110RLV.

Afton Chemical last Thursday announced the launch of HiTEC® 8744X Heavy Duty Diesel Oil (HDDO) Additive, developed to address the need of the modern heavy duty diesel fleets in the world’s fastest growing markets. HiTEC® 8744X HDDO Additive targets the after warranty vehicles segment with a unique profile focusing on API CH-4 only.

While registering modest growth of 0.7% CAGR through 2012, the global wax market continues to be transformed. Synthetic waxes are growing rapidly, supplanting petroleum waxes which enjoy a dominant, but declining market share. Hydrogenated and natural vegetable waxes are also making inroads.

• Afton Chemical Refreshes Online Specification Handbook
• Shell Names Ben van Beurden, Head of Its Downstream Business, as CEO to Replace Retiring Peter Voser
• SAE International’s Fuels, Lubricants, and Aftertreatment Symposium Slated for November 18 - 21
• Shell Tellus S2 M 46 Selected for Use in World’s Biggest Hydraulic Press, Featuring 60 Piston Pumps Having an Initial Oil Fill of 400 KL