For clear insight into regional Base oils-Lubes markets, you need in-depth price reports direct from those regions.
That’s why ICIS maintains a network of locally based reporters, providing not just price assessments but market commentary and analysis.
Updated to Q1 2020
Group I
Supply levels are likely to remain at healthy levels at the beginning of January, but could tighten further in the quarter amid some production issues. There is some talk of possible maintenance during the first quarter which could impact stocks. The recent fire at Total’s Gonfreville plant in France has meant that the plant has severely limited stocks of base oils, with some customers unable to secure material for at least January.
Buying interest for Group I base oils in Europe is set to increase during January as players restock after the new year. Domestic demand is likely to stabilise towards the end of January and remain at steady levels for the rest of the first quarter. Export demand is likely to be strong through the first quarter and further into the year, with African markets expected to have particularly strong buying interest in 2020.
Group II
Group II base oils supply is expected to be healthy in the first quarter. The removal of a tariff waver on Group II imports to the EU is in force from the beginning of January. There will be a quota of 200,000 tonnes every six months and duties will be applicable on any material over this amount. Most players expect that material imported in the first quarter will not be impacted by duties.
Demand will be fairly strong at the beginning of the first quarter as players restock following the holiday period in Europe. While there could be some switches from Group I to Group II, the majority of players switched in 2018–19 and as such no major change to demand is anticipated. Buying interest is expected to be generally stable during the quarter, though demand could rise if import levels are impacted by the new tariffs.
Group III
The length that has been seen in the Group III market at the end of the fourth quarter is set to continue into January. Healthy production coupled with less demand from lubricants producers amid continued issues with the Lubrizol Rouen plant at the end of 2019 could see an oversupply in the market during the first quarter, particularly on 4cSt material. Availability of 6cSt and 8cSt material is set to remain balanced during the quarter.
Demand should see a lift in January as players restock following plant shutdowns over the holiday period. There are some expectations of higher demand from the automotive industry in 2020, with players anticipating more switches from Group I material to Group III. Automotive industry demand looks likely to recover slightly in 2020, which could lead to a further increase in buying interest for Group III material.
We offer the following regional Base oils-Lubes analysis and news coverage to keep you informed of factors and developments affecting prices in the Base oils-Lubes marketplace.
Price reporting
Price history
News & analysis
ICIS price assessments are based on information gathered from a wide cross-section of the market, comprising consumers, producers, traders and distributors from more than 250 reporters world-wide. Confirmed deals, verified by both buyer and seller, provide the foundation of our price assessments.
Our in-depth market knowledge drives our specialist focus, as we recognise the importance of individual market dynamics and not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Over 25 years of reporting on key chemicals markets, including Base oils-Lubes, has brought global recognition of our methodology as being unbiased, authoritative and rigorous in preserving our editorial integrity. Our global network of reporters in Houston, London, Singapore, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Mumbai, Perth and Moscow ensures unrivalled coverage of established and emerging markets.
The main use for base oils is in the manufacture of lubricants, of which there are many thousands of types.
ICIS provides pricing information, news and analysis for all major petrochemical and chemical markets, including Base oils-Lubes.
We offer unbiased and independent price reporting, with our price assessments being widely quoted as benchmarks in contracts.
Our information is collected from market participants by our global network of reporters, delivering unrivalled coverage of established and emerging markets, including China and Asia.
ICIS price assessments are based on information gathered from a wide cross section of the market, comprising consumers, producers, traders and distributors. Confirmed deals, verified by both buyer and seller, provide the foundation of our price assessments, giving you a robust reference for your negotiations.
ICIS collects pricing data on a wide range of chemical, energy and fertilizer products, including Base oils-Lubes. Our extensive experience in price reporting means we can offer you access to historical data dating back more than 20 years for certain commodities.
Our time series of pricing data enable you to build and model trends, to get a view of where markets might be heading. The data service includes charting functionality, allowing you to chart and download multiple data series for manipulation in your own internal models. You can also export data to Excel via the ICIS dashboard service.
Crude oil
Interested to uncover more articles related to this topic? Explore additional news, insights and intelligence, tailored to the markets you are interested in by accessing exclusive content from ICIS.com
DISCOVER MORE