Poland’s 2021 lube demand rises

Poland’s lubricating oil demand rebounded in 2021 as economic activity revived following pandemic-induced restrictions the previous year.

Lube demand of 241,970t in 2021 rose by 10pc from 219,270t the previous year, according to Polish oil industry and trade organization Popihn.

Consumption also exceeded levels of around 235,000t in 2019.

The rise in demand last year mirrored a similar recovery in lube consumption throughout Europe.

The pace of the increase was similar to the 8-10pc rise in consumption in Spain and Italy in 2021. It outpaced the 3-4pc increase in demand in markets like Germany and France.

Base oil supply struggled to keep pace with the rebound in demand, especially in the first half of the year. Prices surged in response.

Poland’s lube consumption got a boost from a rebound in demand for passenger car engine oils (PCMO).

Consumption rose following the relaxation of restrictions on mobility that were imposed the previous year. There was also a boost in car-servicing and engine-oil changing as car drivers caught up on automobile care that they had skipped the previous year.

Consumption of PCMO rose by 27pc in 2021 to 69,620t. The jump in demand boosted the share of automobile oils to 59pc of total lube consumption, up from 55pc the previous year.

Industrial oil consumption also rose in 2021. But the pace of the increase, at just 2pc, lagged far behind the 17pc rise in demand for auto lubricants.