Japan’s base oils and lubricants demand got a seasonal boost in September but still fell from year-earlier levels for the first time in three months.Total base oils and lube consumption of 180,220 kilolitres (159,600t) in September rebounded from less than 130,000kl in August to the highest in a year, government data showed.Demand fell by 4pc from year-earlier levels.Total consumption of 1.31mn kl in the first nine months of the year was almost the same as during the same period last year.The seasonal rise in demand in the month of September absorbed more of Japan’s base oils supplies at a time when its own production capacity was shrinking.The drop in demand from year-earlier levels reflected ongoing weakness for industrial lubricants consumption that fell in August for a twelfth month.The weak consumption mirrored shrinking industrial production in Japan throughout the third quarter of the year.Consumption of engine oils held firmer.Consumption of passenger-car engine oils rose by 3pc in August and for the fifth time in six months.Consumption of heavy-duty engine oils rose by 7pc in August. It had previously fallen for fifteen months to June..Japan’s Sept base oils output rises.Asia’s lube demand set to rise over coming months
Japan’s base oils and lubricants demand got a seasonal boost in September but still fell from year-earlier levels for the first time in three months.Total base oils and lube consumption of 180,220 kilolitres (159,600t) in September rebounded from less than 130,000kl in August to the highest in a year, government data showed.Demand fell by 4pc from year-earlier levels.Total consumption of 1.31mn kl in the first nine months of the year was almost the same as during the same period last year.The seasonal rise in demand in the month of September absorbed more of Japan’s base oils supplies at a time when its own production capacity was shrinking.The drop in demand from year-earlier levels reflected ongoing weakness for industrial lubricants consumption that fell in August for a twelfth month.The weak consumption mirrored shrinking industrial production in Japan throughout the third quarter of the year.Consumption of engine oils held firmer.Consumption of passenger-car engine oils rose by 3pc in August and for the fifth time in six months.Consumption of heavy-duty engine oils rose by 7pc in August. It had previously fallen for fifteen months to June..Japan’s Sept base oils output rises.Asia’s lube demand set to rise over coming months
