France’s lube demand fell in May for the second time in three months amid a dip in industrial oils consumption.Spain’s lube consumption by contrast extended its rise in May for the eleventh time in twelve months.Italy’s lube consumption also fell in May, while Portugal’s lube demand rose.The diverging demand patterns highlighted the mixed and still-muted recovery in Europe’s lube consumption so far this year.The trends incentivized blenders to maintain low inventories of finished lubricants and base oils feedstock supplies.Signs of healthy availability of base oils supplies, especially of premium grades, added to the attraction for blenders to maintain low inventories and to replenish stocks more frequently with smaller volumes.The lack of any strong recovery in demand also raised the prospect of a typical seasonal slowdown in consumption taking place during the third quarter of the year, especially in the month of August.France’s lube consumption of around 36,200 tonnes in May fell from more than 41,000 tonnes in April and by 4% from year-earlier levels, according to Centre Professionel des Lubrifiants.Consumption of industrial oils fell by 5% and automotive lubricants at a smaller 3% pace.The lack of any sustained recovery in demand left France’s total lube consumption of less than 198,000 tonnes in the first five months of the year down from year-earlier levels of 199,000 tonnes.Spain’s lube consumption of 38,500 tonnes in May by contrast rose from the previous month and by 4% from year-earlier levels, according to CORES, which tracks the country’s energy stocks.The country's total consumption of 180,900 tonnes in the first five months of the year was up 4% from year-earlier levels..Europe’s May Group III base oils supply edges down.Italy’s May lube demand falls
