Japan’s base oils and lube consumption rose in October for the third time in four months, adding to signs of ongoing demand growth throughout the Asia-Pacific region.Base oils and lube consumption of 154,700 kilolitres (137,000t) in October rose by 12pc from year-earlier levels, government data showed.Consumption of 1.47mn kl in the first ten months of the year was almost the same as levels of 1.45mn kl during the same period last year.Steady consumption so far this year contrasted with a 5pc fall in the country’s base oils production.Japan’s lube demand had fallen in September amid an 8pc drop in consumption of industrial oils and of heavy-duty engine oils.The slowdown mirrored a slide in the country’s industrial production in September at its fastest pace in more than a year.Industrial production then rose in October for the first time in five months..Japan’s October base oils output falls
