Published 10th March, 2014
LubesNet database shows slow demand for global lubricants.
Kline's eighth edition of the LubesNet database predicts there will be less than 2% growth in global lubes demand as it reaches 42.1 million tonnes by 2017.
The largest country market remains the US but with reduced total global volume, down from 25% to 22%. Russia is now the fourth largest country market, having overtaken Japan. China is likely to be the leading market by 2015/2016.
Longer oil drain intervals (ODIs) and a greater use of synthetics and semi-synthetic oils are the result of a global migration to lower viscosity grade motor oils (PCMOs) - driven by tougher emissions standard and improved engine technology - although there remain significant regional differences.