Tag: View from the Bridge

The FIFA World Cup offers pause for thought on global economic, digital and lubricants developments over the past four years and looking ahead to the next tournament in four years time.

As China continues its battle against smog and pollution, lubes and additives producers stand to gain significantly from new legislation.

As the US economy takes a dip, but heads for further improvement, Europe still struggles with a multi-speed recovery. However, manufacturing innovation may be one salvation - the Soccer World Cup might just be another.

30 years of OATS has seen plenty of change in the global and Chinese lubricants markets. Now China's oil majors are under pressure from smaller domestic producers and larger overseas competitors. 2014 is a time of convergence both nationally and internationally.

Sebastian Crawshaw celebrates OATS' 30th Anniversary with a nostalgic look back and makes some predictions for the next 30 years of the lubricants industry.

China's economic growth has significant bonuses for the lubes and automotive industries but could be constrained by the challenges of pollution and emissions control. Domestic manufacturers could fail in the EV sector against overseas rivals.

Overseas lubes and grease producers are looking to cash in on China's continued growth, but the product landscape is changing.

China and overseas OEM relationships could change the domestic manufacturer landscape and have implications for domestic lubes producers.

Is global economic growth suffering a minor 'blip' or set for a crash of epic proportions? With the complexity of lubes specs and regulations, can producers contribute meaningfully to energy reduction?

China's economic growth remains something for the rest of the world to aspire to, however, pollution is another matter. China's national lubes makers are under increasing pressure to enhance their product and reduce auto pollution.