India’s March base oils output rises

India’s base oils output rose to a record high in March amid signs of rising production capacity.

Output of 269,000t in March more than doubled from 106,000t in February, government data showed.

India’s second-highest monthly production volume was less than 140,000t in 2012.

The unusually large volume in March exceeded India’s current base oils production capacity.

New base oils production capacity was set to come online in India this year.

The higher output level in March suggested the start-up of new capacity.

India’s recent monthly base oils demand and output data is sometimes adjusted retrospectively.