France’s lube demand fell in November for the ninth time in ten months, compounding a seasonal slowdown in regional consumption at year-end.The sustained fall in demand in markets like France and Germany throughout the year contrasted with a firm revival in lube consumption in southern European markets like Spain and Italy.The trend left Europe’s lube demand holding at unusually low levels.But the steadier overall consumption facilitated refiners’ production plans to cover the region’s base oils requirements.France’s total lube consumption of around 37,000t in November fell by 9pc from year-earlier levels, according to Centre Professionel des Lubrifiants.Consumption of automobile lubricants fell by 4pc in November, after rising the previous month.Demand for industrial lubricants fell by 15pc in November and for a tenth month from year-earlier levels.The slowdown cut France’s total lube consumption to around 437,000t in the first eleven months of the year, down 8pc from close to 475,000t during the same period in 2022.The ongoing drop in demand incentivized the country’s blenders to maintain low feedstock inventories and to replenish supplies as and when required..Italy’s November lube demand rises
