blog

As important as carbon black is to tire makers and other industries, carbon black dust can be a serious problem. Controlling it is essential. The top concern is worker health. When exposure to carbon black dust exceeds OSHA regulations, workers can get seriously ill. And when emissions become a public... read more →

When your base oil supplier makes a pricing adjustment, what drives this change? It would be nice if the answer to this question was a simple summary of a few common reasons. But in reality, there are hundreds of factors that drive oil pricing changes, starting at the beginning of... read more →

Demand for pharma applications is driving thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) market growth, making this a good time to bolster supply chains for polymers, TPE process oil, and other raw materials. The global TPE market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1 percent through 2030, taking it... read more →

Analysts see the writing on the wall for the fate of the internal combustion engine (ICE), causing passenger car and heavy-duty motor oil (PCMO/HDMO) makers and their base oil suppliers to consider the implications for the lubricant industry. It’s far too early for anyone to panic. Though the pressure is... read more →

As the food production industry strives to meet evolving consumer demands, specialty white oil supply will become increasingly critical. The global food market is expected to grow from about $2.3B in 2021 to nearly $5.2B by 2029, more than doubling in size. This growth will be driven by several shifts in... read more →

As we all look back over the last few years of pandemic-era economics, it’s never been clearer how much the success of every business depends on the strength of its supply chain. And specialty oil suppliers can be particularly impactful. Signal Fluid Solutions staff recently gathered to discuss key strategies... read more →

The oil industry has almost entirely moved beyond Group I oils. But certain gaps in specialty oil availability among Group II products have lingered, such as high molecular weight (MW), high-viscosity white oils. Reduced sulfuric content, resistance to oxidation, fewer impurities, and improved clarity have made Group II oils highly... read more →

As experienced process oil suppliers, we like to attend annual events like the World Adhesive & Sealant Conference. This year, the ongoing silicone shortage was definitely a dominant topic of conversation. But it certainly wasn’t the only issue that was top of mind for manufacturers. Three issues stood out last spring and... read more →

Process oil suppliers traditionally place most products into one of three categories, but these traditional indicators of color stability don’t always tell the whole story. In general, these categories cover the spectrum of desired qualities for use in rubber, EPDM and TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) manufacturing: Aromatic – dark, low color stability,... read more →

Early in the second quarter of 2022, we examined where oil prices might be headed and the downstream effects on specialty oil suppliers and customers. It appears we have good news. To briefly recap where we’ve been: Crude oil prices increased by nearly 60% throughout 2021, reaching an annual average of $68/barrel,... read more →