EVENTS ALMU 2019 AGM: Report Peter Vickers, Managing Director, Vickers Oils


The Asian Lubricant Manufacturers Union (ALMU) held its first AGM in conjunction with a “Global Leadership Summit” in Singapore in March. The event, with attendees from many of ALMU’s member companies (now 113 members from 22 countries) was also supported by sister trade associations across the world, including the GDLIA (Guangdong Lubricant Industry Association), ILMA, SLTA (Shanghai Lubricant Trade Association), UEIL and UKLA.


Results of a recent member survey were presented which had identified the prime concerns of ALMU’s membership. Counterfeit products were highlighted: it was claimed that one major oil brand had tested multiple packs, bought on the high streets of one country, of what was alleged to be its own product, only to discover that 30% of them were counterfeit. Sadly, it seems that the relevant government does not see this problem as a priority issue.


Another widespread concern is the regulatory divergence within Asia. This is particularly true of chemical registration regulations, such as national GHS and REACH implementations. These realities make it difficult to move product around the region. In one particular country, contradictory tariff codes and regulations are even applied on the same products by different government departments (eg Finance and Environment), making life extremely difficult for lube companies operating there.


A further observation was the tendency of many regional governments to issue regulations without consultation, meaning that companies can only react after the event, rather than being able to participate in helping to design regulations that will work in a practical way.


Not least of the challenges is the lack of end-user (and even within some OEMs) knowledge and understanding of lubricants technologies, with some obsolete specification still in play; it was shown that some countries are still using EURO 2 category products.


What is heartening is the enthusiasm, engagement and tremendous initiative of ALMU members to face these challenges. ALMU has an important role for the future.


LINK www.asianlubricantmanufacturers.org


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LUBE MAGAZINE NO.151 JUNE 2019


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