Thu 27 Mar 2008, 11:27 GMT

Lubrizol announces 10-year US$1 billion investment plan


Additives supplier to set up manufacturing facility in China to keep up with predicted growth.



The Lubrizol Corporation has announced its decision to launch a 10-year phased investment plan to upgrade and increase global capacity in its additive business. This will be achieved through an extensive debottlenecking program at its existing facilities and a greenfield investment in China.

In an effort to meet the evolving demands of the global lubricant and fuel additives market, Lubrizol will increase investments to keep pace with the 1% per year predicted annual growth in global additive demand and to ensure the security of future supply. As part of a 10-year plan, Lubrizol has signed a letter of intent to reserve land use rights for a manufacturing site in the Tianjin Harbour Industrial Park, China. This will be the location of a wholly owned manufacturing facility, which will be developed and phased in as market needs require. By phasing in selective capacity additions in China, Lubrizol aims to respond to lubricant growth in Asia and better match its manufacturing footprint with global demand patterns.

Debottlenecking and the China investment will require a $200 million investment over the next decade. This is in addition to Lubrizol Additives segment's continued significant reinvestment in its existing operations and environmental compliance at roughly the rate of depreciation.

Steve Kirk, Lubrizol Additives president, said, "We will invest over a billion dollars in the next decade to ensure we continue as the most reliable supplier to the fuels and lubricants industry. However, the appropriate phasing of new capacity over time is critical."

The Tianjin site is in phase three of the Industrial Park development plan and will be ready for construction in late 2009. The wholly owned capabilities will eventually include driveline and industrial additives blending, marine additives for export and a technical service laboratory.

This new site is also expected to accommodate the relocation of the Tianjin Branch plant of the Lanzhou Lubrizol Lanlian Additive Co., Ltd. (LLZL) engine oil additive joint venture, which must be moved from its current location in Tianjin Tanggu due to a change in zoning. By sharing this site with the LLZL joint venture, Lubrizol believes both parties will achieve cost saving synergies, and the joint venture will benefit from doing more business with Lubrizol.


Monjasa Oil & Shipping Trainee (MOST) trainees. Monjasa opens applications for global trainee programme  

Marine fuel supplier seeks candidates for MOST scheme spanning offices from Singapore to New York.

Singapore's first fully electric harbour tug. Singapore's first fully electric tug completes commissioning ahead of April deployment  

PaxOcean and ABB’s 50-tonne bollard-pull vessel represents an early step in harbour craft electrification.

Fuel for thought: Hydrogen report cover. Lloyd's Register report examines hydrogen's potential and challenges for decarbonisation  

Classification society highlights fuel's promise alongside safety, infrastructure, and cost barriers limiting maritime adoption.

Bureau Veritas and Straits Bio-LNG sign MoU. BV Malaysia partners with Straits Bio-LNG on sustainable biomethane certification  

MoU aims to establish ISCC EU-certified biomethane production and liquefaction facility in strategic alliance.

Molgas Energy logo. Molgas becomes non-clearing member at European Energy Exchange  

Spanish energy company joins EEX as it expands European operations and strengthens shipper role.

Yiannis Diamandopoulos, Elinoil. Diamandopoulos appointed CEO of Elinoil as Aligizakis becomes chairman  

Greek marine lube supplier announces leadership changes following board meeting on 5 January.

Sustainable Marine Fuel Services webinar hosted by BV graphic. Bureau Veritas to host webinar on sustainable marine fuel transition challenges  

Classification society to address regulatory compliance, market trends, and investment strategies in February online event.

Inchcape Shipping Services logo. Inchcape to provide bunkering services from new Indonesian offices  

Port agency establishes presence in key bulk and tanker operation hubs handling 150 calls annually.

CPN launch of B100 marine biodiesel supply in Hong Kong graphic. Chimbusco Pan Nation launches B100 biodiesel supply in Hong Kong  

Bunker tanker Guo Si becomes Hong Kong's first Type II certified vessel for pure biodiesel operations.

Vox Apolonia vessel. Van Oord completes Dutch beach replenishment using 100% bio-LNG  

Dredger Vox Apolonia deposited 1 million cbm of sand at Noord-Beveland beach under Coastline Care programme.





 Recommended