Several countries in Asia are changing their approach to evaluating and restricting chemical substances, according to a global trade expert who recently summarized the situation for importers at an industry conference in the United States.

Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd. has agreed to supply motorcycle engine oils for Bajaj Auto - a step, Gulf hopes, toward carving a position in Indias two-wheeler lube market.

Chinas and Indias car parcs - already two of the worlds largest - will double by 2023, a new study predicts. As lubricants volumes boom, providers must cope with each nations idiosyncrasies to effectively distribute through their aftermarket service channels.

Korean refiners SK Lubricants and S-Oil posted moderate increases in profit in their third quarters despite reduced sales revenues. Castrol India Ltd. reported a 2.4 percent decline in its third quarter net profit as sales fell. Pakistani lube supplier Hi-Tech's first quarter net profit fell 14 percent.