Base oil fundamentals in the U.S. shifted decisively higher in April as refinery disruptions tightened supply and demand for automotive and industrial lubricants improved ahead of summer driving. Early April was range-bound, but mid-month saw constrained availability as refiners prioritized distillates and producers pulled back on spot offers. Downstream buyers remained active for engine oils, greases and lubricants, leaving little slack in the system. Market participants reported allocations and cautious buying, with assessments and trading levels accelerating through month. Demand strength remained centered in automotive and transportation segments, while industrial lubricant producers maintained appetite for greases and finished-lube stocks. The April assessment for Base Oil Group II H grade rose sharply, reflecting a tighter balance and stronger downstream consumption. Valero’s Benicia refinery outage removed output, tightening domestic availability. Global premium constraints persisted, amplifying pressure on Group II. Outlook remains tilted to the upside amid thin import cover and demand, with procurement expected to stay tight into May and June.
Selenis has effectively manufactured recycled PET chips using terephthalic acid sourced from Circ®, a textile-to-textile recycler based in Virginia. The chip production took place through a series of batches at Selenis' pilot plant in San-Giorgio, Italy. By utilizing inputs recovered from polycotton textile waste, Selenis has created high-quality PET chip, which has been further processed into DTY yarn. This yarn will play a crucial role in product development as Circ prepares for additional capsule launches. Selenis is leveraging the success of this initial collaboration phase and is committed to advancing towards an offtake partnership to support Circ's inaugural industrial facility.
Eduardo Santos, Head of Corporate Strategy at Selenis, remarked that the monomer synthesis showed a performance comparable to virgin terephthalic acid. He expressed optimism about the consistent quality of Circ's monomer output and anticipated future commercial success. Santos pointed out that the Circ partnership complements Selenis's existing mission and goals for a more sustainable textile industry. He further stated their anticipation of expanding upon this collaboration and providing support for Circ's forthcoming commercial production trials.
