Portugal’s lube demand rose in September for the first time in three months amid a more widespread pick-up in consumption in the Mediterranean region.Lube consumption of more than 5,700t in September rose by 2pc from year-earlier levels, government and industry data showed.Even with the firmer demand, total consumption of close to 57,000t in the first nine months of the year was down 5pc from year-earlier levels.The rise in Portugal’s demand in September joined a more sustained rise in lube consumption in Italy and Spain during the third quarter of the year.Signs of firmer lube demand boosted blenders’ incentive and need to replenish more frequently their feedstock and finished lube inventories..Italy’s September lube demand rises
