January 2026

China has approved a restructuring between China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) and China National Aviation Fuel Group Limited (CNAF), marking a major state-led consolidation in the country’s petroleum and aviation fuel sector. The State Council approved the plan following

Honda Motor Co. has begun sales of the UC3, a fixed-battery electric two-wheeled personal commuter, in Thailand and Vietnam, marking a further step in the company’s strategy to expand electric motorcycle offerings in Southeast Asia. The UC3 is positioned as

HF Sinclair Corp. has completed its previously announced acquisition of Industrial Oils Unlimited LLC, expanding its lubricants and specialties

Saudi Aramco will introduce a 98-octane petrol grade in Saudi Arabia from early 2026, adding a higher-octane option to the Kingdom’s retail fuel slate as the domestic vehicle fleet becomes more diverse and increasingly aligned with global automotive standards. The

The American Petroleum Institute (API) says development of the next passenger car engine oil category, ILSAC GF-8, remains on course for a planned launch in the third quarter of 2028, subject to timely progress on key engine tests. Stakeholders, including

Corteva Inc. and bp have launched Etlas, a new 50-50 joint venture to produce biofuel feedstocks for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel, as both companies seek to strengthen their positions in emerging low-carbon fuel supply chains. Corteva, headquartered

Italy’s Eni has established a new company, Eni Industrial Evolution S.p.A., as part of a reorganisation of its downstream activities to manage traditional refining assets while supporting the group’s broader

Gogoro Inc., a Taiwan-based electric scooter maker and battery-swapping services provider, has partnered with lubricant marketer bp Castrol to support its expansion into Vietnam, as it seeks to tap one of Southeast Asia’s largest two-wheeler markets

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL) has commissioned a new residue upgrading facility at its Visakh refinery, strengthening India’s deep-conversion refining capability and increasing the site’s

Verdant Specialty Solutions has completed the acquisition of manufacturing and research assets at Elmendorf, Texas, U.S.A., from Lubrizol, the company said