Thailand’s lube demand rose in August for the first time in six months amid firmer consumption of heavy-duty engine oils (HDEO) and industrial oils. An unusual slump in passenger-car motor oils (PCMO) consumption capped the rise in demand.Total lube demand of 37,900 kilolitres (33,600t) in August rose from close to 33,000kl the previous month and by 1pc from year-earlier levels, government data showed.Total consumption of 297,000kl in the first eight months of the year was still down 11pc from more than 333,000kl during the same period last year.Demand fell over the past year mostly because of a sustained slide in consumption of HDEO and industrial oils.Firmer consumption of PCMO cushioned the slowdown.That pattern reversed in August.A 15pc fall in PCMO consumption in August was the steepest contraction in two years.Demand for HDEO by contrast rose by 1pc in August after shrinking in each of the previous five months. .Thailand’s August base oils output rises.Vietnam’s August base oils imports rise
