Netherlands’ Dec base oils output rises

The Netherlands’ base oils production rose in December to the highest in more than nine years, extending a period of firm output levels throughout last year.

Output of 114,000t in December rose from 88,000t the previous month, government data showed.

The December output exceeded the 100,000 t/month level for the sixth time in 2021. Before 2021, the highest monthly output had never exceeded more than 81,000t since at least 2013.

The firm production levels throughout the year boosted total output to 1.21mn t in 2021, up 88pc from 643,000t the previous year.

The lower volume in 2020 had coincided with weaker demand in Europe in the first half of that year because of Covid-19-related lockdowns.

Plant maintenance work then impacted production levels in the second half of the year.

The tighter supply at that time contrasted with strong base oils output, firm demand and high base oil prices in Europe throughout 2021.