Idemitsu Lubricants America to increase production by half

Idemitsu Lubricant America Corporation said it plans to increase its production capacity by half till the end of 2013. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., and was established in 1991 as a lubricants supply base in the U.S. It has been a critical overseas operation site for the past 20 years, producing and selling different kinds of motor oils and industrial lubricants in North and South America. Idemitsu Lubricants America Corporation began construction of their plant expansion in September. The company has allocated US$18.2 million for the installation of additional tanks, blending facilities, filling equipment and storage space. The expansion will increase production from the current 65,000 kiloliters to 100,000 kiloliters by the end of 2013. In 2010, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. sold approximately 359,000 kiloliters of lubricants to more than 40 countries. The U.S. continues to be the world’s largest lubricant market and further growth is expected. The expansion plans are based on the anticipated increased demands for high value-added products, such as fuel-efficient engine oils and high performance industrial oils. (September 7, 2011)