Thailand’s March lube demand rises

Thailand’s lube demand rose to a one-year high in March amid a typical seasonal pick-up in consumption.

The country’s lube demand typically peaks in the month of March before the Songkran water festival in April.

Lube consumption of 48,390 kilolitres (42,860t) in March rose from 39,700kl the previous month, government data showed.

The volume was still 7pc lower than year-earlier levels.

Passenger-car engine oil demand remained the outlier as it continued to grow strongly from year-earlier levels to the highest in more than a decade.

Consumption of heavy-duty engine oils and industrial oils extended their fall from year-earlier levels.