Apollo (Thailand) to double lube plant capacity

Apollo (Thailand) Co., the local unit of the Japanese lubricant manufacturer and distributor Idemitsu Kosan Co., plans to expand its lubricant blending plant in Thailand as the company aims to double its sales over the next five years, the Bangkok Post reports. The company is the sole distributor of lubricants in Thailand under the brand name of Apolloil for the automotive market and Daphne for industrial and marine users. “Currently, the lubricant oil market in Thailand is growing rapidly due to several encouraging factors. One of them is the strong promotion of the government’s first-car owner policy which will fuel the competition and the growth of the local lubricant market,” said President Isamu Mineta. He said new products would be introduced in the fourth quarter, with a focus on environmental conservation and fuel economy. The company sold 50 million liters in 2010, representing 10% of the total domestic market. Because of Thailand’s strong economy and potential, Mineta said the company is aiming to double sales by 2015. To achieve this goal, it will expand its lubricant blending plant at Amata Nakorn in Chon Buri. The Chon Buri plant, which was opened in 2005, can produce up to 70 million liters of lubricants per year. (October 14, 2011)