Idemitsu to increase Indonesian lube oil output

Japanese company Idemitsu Kosan Co. will expand its operations in Southeast Asia. The firm announced in early June that it will boost its Indonesian lubricant output capacity by 150%. Idemitsu, which primarily produces motorcycle oils, will spend close to ¥1.3 billion (US$13.26 million) to increase the capacity of its blending plant to 65,000 kiloliters a year by October 2010. The company’s upgrades are in line with an increased focus on markets outside of Japan, where demand for its products continues to grow. In addition to expanding its Indonesian operations, Idemitsu has set up a sales subsidiary in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to cater to the Middle East and African markets. (June 12, 2009)