Volume 4 Issue 18

China Bets on Aftermarket amid Glut

Chinas automotive lubricants suppliers have increasingly turned to aftermarket channels such as oil change workshops to gain market share as nationwide overcapacity continues, an industry insider told a conference in Shanghai.

India to Keep Chugging Tractor Oils

Indias goliath tractor market will continue mounting thanks to upticks in non-farming applications, increased mechanization in agricultural industries and more sales in fallow regions - keeping tractor oils demand robust, an Afton spokesman said.

Copton Reports Plant Plans, Lube Sales

Qingdao Copton Technology Co. made revenue of 730.7 million (U.S. $106 million) from lubricants in 2016, according to the companys annual report, in which the firm also announced plans to double its capacity with an additional blending plant in July.

Korean Refiners Profits Sink despite Revenue

S-Oil and SK Lubricants saw operating income decrease despite increased sales revenue in this years first quarter compared to the same period of 2016, according to the companies earnings reports released last week.

Briefly Noted

Spanish supplierRepsol Lubricants and SpecialtiesappointedVietsea JSCto distribute its automotive, motorcycle and industrial lubricants in Vietnam.Castrolagreed to supply Italian two-wheeler manufacturerPiaggio Groupwith lubricants for factory fill of its Vespa and other scooter makes worldwide and in aftermarket channels including Piaggios Motorplex stores in Asia. AMarketsandMarketsreport pegged the global mining lubricants market as growing 4.5 percent per year through 2022, with Asia-Pacific leading the way due to increasing coal operations in China and India.