The Netherlands’ base oils and lube demand rose to a six-month high in March at a time of year when regional and overseas consumption typically revives ahead of the oil-change season.
Domestic demand and exports combined rose to 310,000t in March, government data showed. The volume rose from 279,000t the previous month to the highest since last September.
Total demand of 875,000t in the first three months of the year rose from 785,000t during the fourth quarter of last year.
Demand fell by 13pc from 1mn t during the same period last year.
Lower demand mirrored a more muted pick-up in lube consumption both in Europe and other regions so far this year.
Base oils exports of almost 278,000t in March rose from 255,000t the previous month amid higher shipments to markets like South Africa and Togo.
