ExxonMobil broke ground for the construction of a new grease plant at its Jurong facility, located next to its existing lubricant plant in Singapore. The company announced the project at the China International Bearing Industry Exhibition. The Jurong Grease Plant will be ExxonMobil's first grease plant in Singapore and its largest in the Asia-Pacific region.

Taminco Corp. announced a definitive agreement to be acquired by Eastman Chemical for $2.8 billion in cash. The transaction was approved by the Board of Directors of both firms. Taminco is the world's largest producer of alkylamines and alkylamine derivatives. Its Synergex product line is used in formulating metalworking fluids, bioides and functional fluids.

North American distributor and marketer of fuels and lubricants, Parkland Fuel Corporation last Wednesday announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Canada's Pioneer Energy for C$378 (US$345) million.

ZF Frie-drichshafen AG and TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. last Tuesday announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which ZF will acquire TRW. The combined company will be a global leader in the automotive supplier business with pro forma combined sales of about € 30 (US$ 39) billion.

The Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association last week announced the departure of Executive Director Celeste M. Powers, effective September 30, 2014. Powers joined ILMA in July 2002 and led the Association in a sustained period of growth and importance to the lubricants industry. Martha Jolkovski is the Acting Executive Director.

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