Brazil’s September lube demand rises

Brazil’s lubricating oil demand rose for a fifth month in September on the back of unusually strong engine oils consumption.

Total lube demand of 97,650mᶟ (86,500t) in September rose by 17pc from year-earlier levels, according to IBP.

The strong pick-up in demand lifted Brazil’s total lube consumption to 867,650mᶟ in the first nine months of the year, up 9pc from 793,810mᶟ during the same period last year.

Brazil’s lube consumption extended its strong rise even amid signs of a slowdown in the pace of the country’s economic growth during the third quarter of the year.

The country’s automobile sales flatlined in August and September, after rising by more than 10pc in the first seven months of the year.

Lube demand got a boost from a 23pc rise in consumption of passenger-car motor oils in September and a 20pc rise in consumption of heavy-duty engine oils (HDEO).

The pace of the rise in HDEO consumption was the fastest in more than two years.

Industrial oils consumption also rose in September, but at a slower 1pc pace.