It has been a fairly uneventful week across markets in the United States, Europe and Asia. Ships have generally been kept busy, while the majority of cargoes have secured space with relative ease and at freights that have not really moved one way or the other. -by Adrian Brown

The market for high quality base oils and synthetics in India will expand going forward as automakers strive to meet stringent environmental legislation and develop technologies for fuel economy, experts said at an industry event in Mumbai last month.

The Sri Lankan agency planning to allow more competition in the nations lubricant market was advised recently that it should instead crack down on smuggling and on sales of substandard products.

Tianjin-based lubricant manufacturer Beiersdorf Petroleum and Chemical Corp. is building a second blending facility on the opposite side of the country, in the Luojiang district of Sichuan province.