More Chinese blenders are registering their lubricants under NSF Internationals program for food-grade compounds. The latest to do so, Beijia Lubrication Science & Technology, said its motivation was to comply with its customers demands and to stay ahead of tightening food safety regulations.

Asia-Pacific's synthetic lubricants demand will expand at a compound annual rate of more than 6 percent to 2020, with Japan and South Korea leading the region in market penetration, according to consultancy Kline & Co. Semi-synthetics' CAGR is expected to be nearly 9 percent.

Chinese blender Qingdao Copton Technology Co. increased earnings by 31 percent on the year in its third quarter and sold one of its subsidiaries, a wholesale API Group I base oil broker, to focus on higher-quality base stocks.

South Koreas lubricant consumption increased marginally in 2016 but is not likely to show any growth in 2017, the Korea Lubricating Oil Industry Association said in its annual report last week.

Lubricants maker Tide Water Oil Co. (India) Ltd. reported a nearly 16 percent drop in its second-quarter net profit, due in part to a rise in total expenses.