The ICIS Conference in London highlighted the longer-term challenges faced by the lubes industry in squaring the circle between competitive products to consumers and meeting increasingly complex regulations and specifications.
Overall gobal economic momentum remains positive. While 2015 was bad news for the oil majors and machinery manufacturers, consumers are making the most of low oil prices.
As 2016 dawns, OATS prepares for a busy year with an enhanced database and the lubricants industry holds its breath over oil prices, China growth and an Australian legal decision.
As global growth swithes from China to the US, the lubes industry looks to increased viscocity and biolubes for a sustainable future.
Is the VW crisis the auto-industry's Deepwater Horizon and will it prove to be a turning point? What role will lubricants play in helping meet the increasing environmental pressures now being placed on the auto sector?
Is the rest of the world over-reacting to the Chinese stockmarket crash? Will China continue to lead the way in global economic growth and what impact will this have on the lubes industry?
What if the current oil price is the new reality? The effect of low prices on the global economy, lubes producers and off-highway manufacturers. Plus artificial intelligence in providing lubes information.
In our 50th China View from the Bridge we look back at the last five years of China's development and examine the changes China has made in such a short space of time. We also make some predictions as to what we might see in the next few years of the China Bulletin
Nearly 20 years after Kyoto protocol, the US is finally getting serious about emission controls. New engine & lubricant monitoring systems are announced.
Energy M&A slows down as Chinese firms concentrate on improving their domestic offering, creating more competition for international firms in the region