Grand Opening of Castrol China Technology Centre in Shanghai


The Grand Opening of the Castrol China Technology Centre took place in Shanghai’s Pudong Jinqiao Science Park recently, marking an important step in the development of Castrol’s global technology strategy. The new facility will be dedicated to developing lubricant technology solutions for the automotive, aviation, industrial, offshore and marine market sectors in China. The Opening Ceremony was attended by Mr. Zhu Jiajun, Deputy Governor of Shanghai Pudong New District, Mr. Mike Johnson, Chief Executive Lubricants, Mr. Chen Liming, President of BP China, Dr. Angela Strank, Lubricants Technology Vice President, and Mr. Paul Turner, Regional Director China & North Asia, as well as more than 100 distinguished guests, including automotive companies and equipment manufacturers.


The Castrol China Technology Centre comprises specialist laboratories dedicated to conducting lubricant development and modification, a friction testing centre to evaluate and screen new formulations for industrial and automotive applications, a driveline testing laboratory and a vehicle workshop for testing product performance. The Technology Centre features a state of the art conference centre for 60 people that includes the latest in audio visual equipment and 3D cinema. The conference centre will be used to hold high level technology training and industry symposia.


This Technology Centre has been designed to operate to the highest international standards of performance and quality. It will employ 26 scientists and engineers from China and abroad and this team will work collaboratively with vehicle manufac- turers, distributors and other partners, focusing on leading edge lubricant technology development and support, as well as providing world class training for customers and distributors.


LINK www.castrol.com


Base Oil Report


The prices of all grades of Group I paraffinic base oils in Europe rose rapidly from the end of March to the end of July, but they began levelling off in August. Sellers see the potential for prices to rise further, pointing to a still-tight market, but buyers expect weakening demand will put downward pressure on prices in the last months of the year.


Buyers also argue that refiners’ margins are disproportionately high. While vacuum gasoil prices have been fluctuating in a relatively narrow range in tandem with crude oil prices, steeply rising base oil prices have disconnected from the cost of their main feedstock. European producers insist that supply and demand factors are the main driver of base oil price trends.


Demand has been more robust than many had expected in their forecasts for 2010. Even during the traditional August holiday period, suppliers say that demand was steady in both domestic and export markets. Buyers tell a different story, saying that a combination of high prices and seasonal factors has begun to erode demand for base oils.


Seasonal demand from the agricultural sector in Russia, central and eastern


Europe, and Turkey was one of the


originating factors that started prices on their upward trend in April. As the agricultural season comes to an end in these regions, many expect the trend in prices to reverse.


Brightstock sets itself apart from the lighter solvent neutral grades in that recent tightness shows no sign of easing. Many expect prices for the heavy material will continue to rise.


Demand for Group III base oils is also accelerating and prices are still rising. Sellers suggest that the gradual shift from Group I to Group III oils in certain applications is taking place more quickly than expected.


Planned maintenance shutdowns at base oil plants in the Netherlands, Portugal and Russia in September- October are expected to keep the Group I market tight and might allow sellers to resist the buyers’ call for lower prices.


James Mills Senior Editor (Europe) ICIS


Meade-King, Robinson & Co Ltd Announce New Acquisitions


Meade-King, Robinson & Co Ltd (MKR) are pleased to announce that they have recently acquired the UK businesses of Crestchem Holdings Ltd, comprising Crestchem Ltd and Crest Alcohols Ltd, based in Amersham, and, as a separate negotiation, the UK and European distribution activities of W.S. Lloyd Ltd.


As part of the Crestchem deal, MKR have also acquired a 50% stake in Biodeg Chemical Company Ltd, situated in Speke.


Commenting on the enlarged MKR 36 LUBE MAGAZINE No.99 OCTOBER 2010


Group, Managing Director Philip Tarleton said: “These acquisitions will enable us to significantly expand our presence in the surface coatings, food, personal care, alcohols, castor oil and technical vegetable oils markets.”


For further information on any of these products, please contact info@mkr.co.uk or telephone 0151-236-3191 (UK).


LINK www.mkr.co.uk


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