Italy’s lube demand rose in September at its slowest pace in four months, raising the prospect of an extension of Europe’s muted lube consumption so far this year.The region’s persistently weak consumption-growth incentivized blenders to maintain lower stocks.Weak growth also facilitated blenders’ planning by curbing the risk of an unexpected pick-up in demand leaving them with insufficient stocks.Blenders’ lower stocks could limit the impact of a round of destocking at year-end, cushioning the size of a seasonal slowdown in demand in the coming weeks.Their leverage to maintain lower stocks also put the onus on base oils suppliers and distributors to manage any surplus volumes of the lubricants feedstock.Italy’s lube consumption of 35,900 tonnes in September rose by 1% from year-earlier levels, government data showed..Automobile lubricants consumption rose by 7% in September, slowing from an 11% rise the previous month amid slower consumption-growth for passenger-car motor oils..Industrial oils consumption fell by 6% in September amid weaker demand for metalworking fluids and process oils.Italy’s lube consumption data is released several weeks before other markets in Europe, making it a useful bellwether for the state of the region’s demand..Asia’s August lube demand, base oils supply rises.Europe’s Aug Group III supply holds firm.Italy’s August lube demand rises
