Europe’s base oils supply from the Netherlands and the US combined held firm in August at a time of year when regional demand faced a seasonal slowdown.Total supply from the Netherlands and US combined came to close to 160,000t in August, government data showed.The volume fell from close to 165,000t the previous month and by 1pc from year-earlier levels.The fall in supply from year-earlier levels was the third in as many months.The slowdown cut supply to 454,000t in the three months to end-August, down from 478,000t during the same period last year.The Netherlands and US are the main suppliers of Group II base oils for the European market.Supply from the Netherlands accounted for 53pc of the August total. The share was down from 67pc of the total in the first seven months of the year.The lower share reflected a drop in the Netherlands’ base oils output in August and a rise in imports from the US to a thirteen-month high.The lower total volume in August coincided with a sharp fall in Europe’s Group I base oils supplies since May, as well as lower Group III supplies. .Netherlands’ Aug supply matches demand.US’ Aug base oils exports to Europe fall
