Volume 3 Issue 23

Jaso Updates 4T Moto Spec

The Japanese Automotive Standards Organization updated its four-stroke motorcycle engine oil standard with redefined clutch friction parameters and a new reference friction plate and reference oils for testing. Meanwhile, a long-awaited gear-pitting test is still unformed.

Asia Trends To Group II, Stays Long in Group III

Asia may produce most of the worlds API Group III base stocks, but it still clings to Group I and II in lube formulations, an industry consultant told the ICIS Base Oils & Lubricants Conference last month.

Myanmar Market Taking Off

As Myanmar transitions to democracy and attempts to open its economy to the outside world, its lubricant market is growing at double-digit rates, an oil industry insider said recently.

Savita Climbs, Tide Water Sinks in Q4

Indias Savita Oil Technologies Ltd. reported a 58 percent rise in net profit for the quarter ended March 31, thanks to lower expenses during the period. Tide Water Oil Co.'s profit for the same period was down 87 percent, although its sales were up 5 percent.

Briefly Noted

European oil and marine lubricants trader KPI Bridge Oil acquired South Koreas KTB Oil Corp. as part of a strategy to expand its presence in East Asia. Malaysias state-owned Petronas Lubricants Marketing extended its contract with Perodua in a five-year, RM355 million (U.S. $87 million) deal to supply the automaker 17 million liters of genuine oils.

Correction

An article in the May 19 issue incorrectly summarized the investment at Afton Chemicals lubricant additive factory in Singapore. The company will spend SG $400 million on the first two phases of the project, which are due to be completed next year. Also, the plant does not have a research and development center.