ILMA Compoundings - February 2020 - 13

In the Know
SOYBEAN MOTOR OIL CLEARED FOR SALE
Biosynthetic Technologies®, makers of a high-performing motor oil made from
high oleic soybean oil, have been cleared to sell their product. Their biosynthetic
motor oils are American Petroleum Institute (API) SN-RC certified and meet the
highest performance standard issued by the API (SN-RC) and the International
Lubricant Specification Advisory Committee (ILSAC) GF-5 performance standard. Executive Vice President for Biosynthetic Technologies Jake Bredsguard said
that they have plans to develop other products and expect to release new hydraulic
fluids in the near future. That isn't just good news for Biosynthetic Technologies®;
it's also good news for Indiana's soybean farmers.
LUBRICANTS INDUSTRY APPLIES LESSONS FROM KODAK'S FAILURE
In a Bloomberg report, Bank of Merrill Lynch analyst Jean-Baptiste Rolland said
that due to the penetration of electric vehicles in China and Europe, sales volumes
in the lubricants market could start to decline as early as 2025. The report also
highlights Kline & Co. research that predicts demand for automotive lubricants
flattening out for the foreseeable future. However, lubricants industry veterans say
they are prepping for the change and finding ways to prevent a Kodak moment.
NAM SUPPORTS EPA RULE ON THE RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Vice President of Energy and
Resources Policy Ross Eisenberg said in a statement regarding the Environmental
Protection Agency's (EPA) final rule on the Risk Management Program,
"Manufacturers believe strongly in safety as part of an ongoing commitment to
the communities around them and those they serve. This is why NAM members
make security investments and prudently engage in risk management planning,
and that's why we support the action the EPA is taking now."
EXXONMOBIL AND GE COLLABORATE ON NEW TURBINE OIL
A collaboration between GE and ExxonMobil has culminated in the launch of a
new gas turbine oil, Mobil SHCTM 918 EE. They expect this new technology
will improve turbine bearing efficiency by up to 15% compared to conventional
oils. Improving energy efficiency is a significant focus for the power generation
industry, and this new oil promises to help power plant operators reduce energy
consumption, which will lower the cost to produce power. This gas turbine oil is
the first and only lubricant to meet GE's Energy Efficient turbine oil specification,
which GE developed exclusively for its high-performance turbines.
CASTROL AND TAKE 5 ANNOUNCE LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP
Castrol and Driven Brands, owner of Take 5 Oil Change, announced a long-term
partnership that will integrate training, service and marketing efforts. The two
companies say they plan to combine industry expertise and data-driven insights
to continue accelerating Take 5 Oil Change's expansion plans. Driven Brands
is a franchisor of automotive aftermarket services in North America and has
over 2,800 locations. Besides Take 5, Driven Brands owns CARSTAR, Meineke,
Maaco, ABRA and 1-800-Radiator.

ILMA Compoundings - February 2020

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