Global lubricant additive demand growth will exceed finished lubricant growth primarily due to transition to higher lubricant quality levels, according to Parsippany, N.J–based research and consulting firm. Kline predicts a compound annual growth rate of 1.6 percent for additives through 2019 while the CAGR for lubricants during that period is expected to be only 1.2 percent.

Japan's Idemitsu Kosan announced on November 12 it signed a non-binding agreement to merge with Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K., almost four months after buying a third of its rival Japanese refiner, creating the second-largest Japanese crude oil refiner, after JX Holdings Inc., the country’s largest refiner.

Following the November 12, 2015 Idemitsu-Showa Shell merger announcement, JX Holdings, parent of JX Nippon Oil and Energy Corp. and TonenGeneral Sekiyu K.K. are reportedly in merger talks. Their combined annual sales will total about ¥14.3 trillion (US$116 billion), much larger than the approximate ¥7.6 trillion that would be generated by the Idemitsu-Showa Shell merger.

American Refining Group's Board of Directors announced Timothy Brown has been named Harry Halloran’s successor as the company’s CEO. Prior to the announcement, Mr. Brown had been serving as ARG’s executive vice president and chief strategy officer. Mr. Halloran will continue to work with the company in his role as executive chairman of the board.

Ashland last Monday hosted a ground breaking ceremony for a new 162,400-square-foot office building on its Lexington campus. The new facility being built in the northwest corner of the existing campus, which Ashland plans to lease, will serve as the global headquarters for Valvoline. The $35 million development is slated to be completed by February 2017.

Lubrizol last week announced it has strengthened its commitment to the growing stationary natural gas market with the introduction of two new advanced 4-stroke engine low ash technologies: Lubrizol® SG9L01 and Lubrizol® SG9L20.

• Kline’s November Index of Base Stock Production and Re-refining Cash Margins Shows Second Straight Month of Declines
• ExxonMobil Re-enters Vietnam’s Downstream Market; Appoints Three New Lubricant Distributors
• Petronas to Expand Lubricant Blending Capacity at Contagem, Brazil Plant
• Houghton Appoints Mike Shannon as CEO Effective Jan. 1, 2016, Succeed Retiring CEO, Paul DeVivo
• ANDEROL® 5000 PLUS EP Synthetic Gear Oil Series Receives GE Approval In New Specification D50E35 For Wheel Motor Gearbox Oils