Idemitsu established second lubricant manufacturing plant in Indonesia
PT. Idemitsu Lube Techno Indonesia, an Indonesian subsidiary (90 percent) of Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd., established a new lubricant manufacturing plant with an annual production capacity of 50,000 KL in Bekasi, Indonesia, to augment the supply for the increase in the demand for high-performance lubricants in Indonesia. The inauguration ceremony was held on November 7.
Established on an area of approximately 80,000 square meters, the Cikarang plant will manufacture mostly engine oil for initial filling of motorcycles and automobiles and OEM replacement products (partner brand production) utilizing the latest production facilities. The product line also includes transmission oils, industrial lubricants and other relevant items.
Indonesia has the world's fourth largest population, and the company is expecting a steady growth in demand. The existing first plant, the Karawang plant with an annual production capacity of 65,000 KL, which started production in 2005, is situated in the Karawang International Industrial City, where many related Japanese enterprises have their offices. Due to there being no expansion room in this area, the new second plant was established in Bekasi Regency, which is near the Karawang plant. The establishment of the Cikarang plant makes for a total annual production capacity of 115,000 KL in Indonesia by Idemitsu. The Cikarang factory is the seventh lubricant manufacturing plant directly managed by Idemitsu overseas.
PT. Idemitsu Lube Techno Indonesia was founded on the investment of Idemitsu's local partner, Atlas Petrochem Indo in 2004, and supplies productions to Idemitsu Lube Indonesia, Idemitsu's fully-owned distributor, Atlas, and Idemitsu's overseas affiliates.
Idemitsu will continue to aim for the improvement and expansion of the business as a global supplier of lubricants as well as establish a community-oriented manufacturing and sales structure in Indonesia.
Evonik Oil Additives USA, Inc. announced that North American OEM Manager David Gray has been confirmed as a Certified Lubrication Specialist by the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers ( STLE). STLE is the premier technical society serving the needs of more than 13,000 individuals and 250 companies. STLE members are experts who research, develop and market the methods and products that make the industry more successful and enhance the wellbeing of people worldwide.
STLE's Certified Lubrication Specialist certification is the only independent certification for lubrication professionals that verifies their broad lubrication engineering knowledge. Their core responsibilities include evaluating and selecting lubricants to use; conducting lube surveys; training lubricators; developing quality assurance and used lubricant analysis programs; troubleshooting and problem- solving lubrication issues; and maintaining records of all applications, as well as waste collection and disposal.
“I'm pleased to be able to offer our customers the assurance of knowing they are working with a company who truly are lubrication specialists,” said David Gray. “While I've been in the lubrication industry for three decades, preparing for this exam gave me a new appreciation to how intricate this industry is, and being able to carry this title is an honor.”
Gray holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Portsmouth. He has been in the lubrication industry for over 30 years and represents Evonik on key standard setting organizations, industry bodies and committees covering the industrial lubricant market.
Clariant unveils new high- performance additives promoting reduction in the consumption of fossil resources, to support the creation of value chain cycles which utilize viable and sustainable renewable sources and combat climate change.
Clariant has teamed up with renewable hydrocarbon producer Neste to offer a wide range of additives based on mass balance certified ethylene and propylene from renewable feedstock, which reliably deliver both high performance and sustainability. Neste's renewable hydrocarbons are based on sustainably produced bio- based raw materials, such as waste and residue oils, so they help in reducing consumption of fossil resources, and fossil- based carbon emissions to the atmosphere. As an outcome of this cooperation, Clariant is launching new ‘ Terra' designated additives solutions, like- for- like drop- ins, performing precisely as fossil- based equivalents with no need to retest, renew registrations or to modify production processes or equipment and carrying a mass balance certification.
New Licocene Terra range is a renewable feedstock version of Clariant's Licocene range. Among the five new Licocene Terra products based on renewable feedstock, two are specifically targeting plastics processing: Licocene PE 4201 Terra, a highly valuable lubricant for polyolefins and nucleating agent for EPS and Licocene PP 6102 Terra, an excellent external lubricant for PVC extrusion and dispersing agent for pigments and additives in masterbatches.
In addition to its Terra range, Clariant introduces its new Vita range consisting of six rice bran wax based solutions for formulators of high- performing engineering plastics, bioplastic compounds and masterbatches. Among the Vita range, new Licocare RBW 360 TP Vita is a multifunctional additive that provides a special combination of lubrication and nucleation in engineering plastics, particularly in polyamides.
Stephan Lynen, Head of Clariant Business Unit Additives, comments: “With current forecasts predicting as much as 20 percent of the world's oil production being used to make plastics by 2050, we need to reduce resource intensity by enabling more sustainable material choices – like increasing the use of renewables and natural, non- food competing feedstock. To offer this we need partnerships along the value chain. With Neste we have found a partner who is equally committed to creating a more sustainable future.”
Lars Börger, Vice President, Brand Owner Management, Neste's Renewable Polymers & Chemicals business unit, adds: “By working with partners like Clariant who share Neste's passion for developing renewable and circular solutions in order to create a healthier planet, we can be faster and bolder in making a difference. Our renewable hydrocarbons help reduce the fossil- based carbon emissions into the atmosphere.”