Lubrizol and Lanxess are amongst the latest lubes and additive suppliers to announce new product as the industry faces the challenge of rising development costs to meet the low-viscocity trend.
Larvae feeding on human waste, and old tyres and plastics are creating the latest biolubes and fuels in the Southern Hemisphere.
Contined testing and communication issues delay ACEA 2018 sequences further.
With Artificial Intelligence set to change many aspects of oil exploration, lubes and fuel production and marketing, voice analysis could be the most significant challenge according to OATS.
Conference season reveals new lubes trends; the EV market increases its influence and the lubes industry and the battle over diesel continues.
Two major conferences in Asia and Europe reveal India is catching up in the high quality lubes market; Europe has work to do in read-across interchange and Japan is preparing ultra-low specs.
Petronas has entered the lubes market for hybrid cars as it launches its new Syntium range.
Shell research shows lubes suppliers will play an important role in development of Industry 4.0, but there are skills challenges
The IEAs Global oil predictions could mean a new way of working for refiners and producers; heavy trucks are in the spotlight for the latest emissions clamp-down, putting manufacturers under more pressure.
International Energy Agency models show long-term global decline in oil use, but increase in petrochemical opportunities. Refiners will need to integrate more closely with end-producers.