Calumet announced last Friday that Calumet and Houston Refining LP, a wholly-owned subsidiary of LyondellBasell, have entered into multiyear agreements to form a long-term exclusive specialty products affiliation. Calumet will be the exclusive marketer of LyondellBasell's naphthenic base oil production out of its refinery in Houston, TX.

Caterpillar and Navistar have agreed to form a joint venture with Anhui Jianghuai Automobile, a Chinese manufacturer, to develop, manufacture and sell trucks and truck parts primarily in China and certain export markets. Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co., Ltd. is principally engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of automobiles and related parts.

BASF last week outlined its Strategy 2020 for Asia Pacific. Through 2020, BASF aims to grow on average two percentage points faster than the Asia Pacific chemical market each year. With expected market growth of 4 to 5 percent per year, this would double regional sales by 2020 while earning a premium on cost of capital.

A raid of a Thai factory in Samut Prakan and the seizure of adulterated and substandard Elf lubricants two weeks ago has caused confusion with Elf's dealers and customers. Elf distributor Sittipol 1919 Co and Total Oil Thailand Co. have moved quickly to defend Elf oils.

Forgelube SRL de CV has announced that they have entered the hot forging market for die lubricants. The company, located in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon State, Mexico was incorporated this year to supply quality forging die lubricants and release agents to the manufacturers of heavy duty forged auto components, and other OEMs.

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