Argus Global Base Oils Conference

Argus 5k Hyde Park Fun Run

Returning by popular demand, join Argus for a morning 5k fun run around the scenic Hyde Park and get those endorphins flowing. Join industry peers with a likeminded approach to fitness for an exciting informal networking opportunity away from the boardroom.

NEW FOR 2025 – the fun run will have multiple pace groups ensuring beginners through to 5k pros can enjoy an active start to the morning.

Departs from the InterContinental lobby at 7.15am sharp.

Morning registration and networking breakfast

Producer's opening remarks

Speaker:

Emily Harris

Conference Producer

Argus

Chairperson's opening remarks

Speaker:

Gabriella Twining

Global Editor - Base Oils

Argus

Keynote fireside chat with Chevron Base Oils

The economist’s take: Reflecting on a year of elections, geopolitics and inflation and preparing for the years to come

• 2024 saw leadership elections in several key countries across the globe - how has this affected economic and energy policy across the globe?
• How are global inflation rates faring and how is this affecting global energy trade?
• Looking to 2026 and beyond, what can we expect from the global energy markets?

Argus global outlook: Dealing with the repercussions of a structurally oversupplied market and the impact of a growing electric vehicle fleet – the global base oils industry for 2026 and beyond

• What is the big picture outlook for global base oils and lubricants trade?   
• What will be the key trends to watch in 2026 and beyond? Discussing the impact of a larger electric vehicle fleet, diversification of outlets and production strategies, rising populations, rising industrial action across the globe and more.
• What can the market expect in terms of supply, demand, and pricing in 2026 and beyond?

Speaker:

Guo Harn Hong

Global Lead Base Oils

Argus

Morning networking break

Women in base oils panel

Open to all delegates, join us in the main conference room for refreshments and to have an open discussion with leading women in the industry regarding their personal experiences of growth and challenges they have overcome. This is a perfect opportunity for women in the base oils and lubricants industry to meet and network, and for all delegates to better understand how to promote diversity and inclusion in their industry.

Speakers to be announced.

Case study of the UK Trade Remedies Authority’s (TRA) anti-dumping investigation: How is the European base oils industry responding to new initiatives to protect the market from sanctioned products?

• What are the historic trends of UK engine oil and hydraulic fluid imports that have inspire the anti-dumping investigation application?
• What does the TRA’s investigation include and how will they decide if a trade remedy is necessary?
• How is the European market responding to and recovering from this? What lessons can we learn for the future and how could this apply to other regions?

Speaker:

Mark Lord

Managing Director

Aztec Oils

Argus base oils EMEA: Europe’s shift away from Grp I and oversupply of Grp II – how are these changing market fundamentals affecting the region?

• What are the new dynamics market participants should be aware of and how have they developed since 2024?
• What is driving regional price across EMEA and how is this impacting the wider global trade?
• How is the region developing in its relationship with supply and demand for Grp I, II, and III?

Speakers:

Christian Hotten

Reporter

Argus

Gabriella Twining

Global Editor - Base Oils

Argus

Lunch break

OEM and Lubricants case study: What implications do the new ILSAC (International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee) GF-7 standards have on the process of creating an engine oil?

• How do OEMs and the lubricant production value chain work together to develop engine oils?
• How does the industry work with OEMs to design products that meet industry standards alongside individual OEM approval tests?
• What regulatory and environmental incentives are in store for OEMs to develop their engines and what current development projects are underway? How will this align with lubricant and additive package formulation?

Lubricating the marine industry’s route to decarbonisation

• What is the current global fleet landscape for ships – what engines are they running on, where are they located, how long is their lifespan? What does this mean for the future of fuel choices and engine orders – how will this affect the marine lubricant industry in the future?
• How does the diversifying fuel matrix – moving away from VLSFO (very low sulphur fuel oil) toward alternative such as biodiesel, ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen – affect the development of marine lubricants?
• What new engines are being built for ships and what are their fuel sources - when can we expect these ships to hit the seas?

Afternoon coffee and networking break

Argus base oils Asia: Grp I supply shortness, RRBO price falls, varying bright stock demand and pricing – how is the world’s largest base oils producing region evolving?

• How have supply and demand fundamentals changed in Asia? Considering Grp I, II, III and RRBOs across the region.
• How is shortness of supply, particularly for Grp I across Asia, impacting buying patterns – are we seeing diversification of supply sources?
• How will regional arbitrages change with these developments and what opportunities do they present?

Speakers:

Li Li Chng

Associate Editor

Argus

Tara Tang

Senior Reporter

Argus

Lubricating the marine industry's route to decarbonisation

• What is the current global fleet landscape for ships – what engines are they running on, where are they located, how long is their lifespan? What does this mean for the future of fuel choices and engine orders – how will this affect the marine lubricant industry in the future?
• How does the diversifying fuel matrix – moving away from VLSFO (very low sulphur fuel oil) toward alternative such as biodiesel, ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen – affect the development of marine lubricants?
• What new engines are being built for ships and what are their fuel sources - when can we expect these ships to hit the seas?

Chairperson's closing remarks

Speaker:

Guo Harn Hong

Global Lead Base Oils

Argus

Drinks welcome from Lubrizol

Networking drinks reception sponsored by Lubrizol

Breakfast and morning networking

Chairperson's opening remarks

Speaker:

Guo Harn Hong

Global Lead Base Oils

Argus

Keynote panel: A conversation with leading global base oils producers

• What opportunities are available to the base oils producers in today’s changing market, and what are the macro-trends driving the industry?
• What has the industry learned from recent year’s turbulent geopolitical and macroeconomic trade environments and how can this be utilised to form a more secure industry in the future?
• What sustainability and decarbonisation strategies are we seeing implemented across the globe – is it more important to follow national policy, industry association guidelines, or to pursue individual company goals?

The next step for RRBOs (re-refined base oils) – How does this industry get the green message to go global?

• RRBOs have been a hot topic for the last few years – but what does the current landscape for the effective collection and recycling of used oil look like?
• Where are key re-refining hubs located and what is their current capacity? What plans are we aware of for new plants and new expansions across the globe?
• What is needed to push RRBO technology further outside of Europe and the Americas – is it private investment, government policy, or something else entirely?

Morning networking break

Argus base oils Americas: Grp II and Grp III spreads, demand for semi- and fully synthetic lubricants, new export strategies for Grp II and more

• How are Grp II and Grp III spreads affecting base oils production across the US? With domestic Grp III production on the rise, what can we tell about the future of production including any potential switches back to Grp II?
• What is the US’ new Grp II export strategy considering Asian expansions in Grp II production which will increase that regions self-sufficiency in production?
• How is the demand for synthetic and semi-synthetic lubricants for engines currently being built in the US affecting the inventory and production strategies of base oil producers across the US?

Speakers include:

John Dietrich

Associate Editor - Base Oils

Argus

Julio Viana

Market Reporter - Base Oils

Argus

The big picture view: Hydrogen as a front runner fuel for on-road heavy duty decarbonisation

• How is hydrogen produced and what is the current global capacity?
• What are they key infrastructural developments needed to make hydrogen a viable long-term fuel source?

A new frontier: Producing long-term heavy-duty lubricant solutions to face the unique complexities of hydrogen engines

• Why are H2ICE and engines more suited to long-term decarbonisation strategies for the removal of NOx, SOx, and CO2 emissions than alternatives such as electrification for heavy-duty fleets?
• When used as a fuel, hydrogen exposes lubricants to extreme temperatures and oxidative stress – therefore hydrogen lubricants must have high thermal stability and oxidative resistance alongside compatibility with hydrogen gas and low friction and wear characteristics. What additive blend and base oil combination is the way to go for hydrogen?
• How is global legislation for reduced emissions for commercial and passenger vehicles currently and in the future impacting the research and development of hydrogen-safe lubricant and additive packages?

Chairperson's closing remarks

Speaker:

Guo Harn Hong

Global Lead Base Oils

Argus