Nippon Oil boosts lube output in Tianjin

Japan’s Nippon Oil has boosted its lubricating oil output capacity by 45.5% to 80,000 kiloliters/year (kl/y) at a blending plant in Tianjin, China, in which it holds a stake, the company said. Capacity has been boosted from 55,000 kl/y after TIANJIN NISSEKI Lubricants & Grease Co., Ltd., in which Nippon Oil holds a 40% stake, added a blending tank, the company said. The move was prompted by expectations of demand growth in China. Sinopec, China’s largest integrated state oil company, holds a 50% stake in the Tianjin joint venture. The remaining 10% is held by Japan’s Showa Sangyo Co. Ltd. (June 15, 2009)