Lubrizol announced last Friday the launch of a website, MCEO.com, designed as an information hub for oil marketers, original equipment manufacturers, and anyone who is seeking to know more about the motorcycle market and oils specifically designed for motorcycle engines. The site highlights the need for lubricants specially designed for motorcycles.

Norwalk, CT-based Vanderbilt Chemicals last Friday announced its decision to consolidate its commercial production of chemicals at a single location—the company’s newly upgraded plant in Murray, Ky. The company will diminish commercial production at its chemicals plant in Bethel, Conn. by the end of 2014 and transfer that displaced volume into the expanded Murray plant.

The move toward lower viscosity, higher VI, lower volatility automotive engine oils demanded by modern vehicles per U.S. ILSAC GF-5 (and, prospectively, GF-6) and European ACEA standards has caused blenders to move to higher-performance Group II+ and Group III, and away from Group I, base oil stocks as they reformulate their recipes.

TractorLife.com last week announced the release of the TractorLife.com Authenticated mark in an effort to help farmers choose fluids that offer superior performance and protection for their critical equipment. Tractor hydraulic fluids endorsed by this mark meet and often exceed current original equipment manufacturer (OEM) credentials and performance claims.

Gulf Oil Corporation Ltd, a Hinduja group company, has decided to divest stake in three of its overseas subsidiaries. Gulf Oil Yantai (51 percent holding), Gulf Oil Indonesia (75 percent holding) and Gulf Oil Bangladesh (51 percent holding) are the three subsidiaries where the company is seeking to divest for a total of Rs 54.9 crore (US$8,772,000).

The Group IV and Group V base oil charts shown in our Global Lube Base Oil Specification Quick Reference Center, listed in the right hand column of the OEM/Lube News, have been revised. Several base oil manufacturers/refineries have been added, as well as updates to the products which the listed companies produce and market.

• Chevron Oronite to Present Fuel Economy Benefits from Low Viscosity Lubricants at 10th ICIS Middle Eastern Base Oil & Lubricants Conference
• Lubricating Oil Manufacturers in Asia - Top 80 Companies Ranked
• NYCO Joins Aerochemicals, the Alliance of Companies Manufacturing Chemical Products for the Aviation Market