The Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association said it has asked General Motors to provide temporary flexibility under the company’s dexos engine oil licensing program as concerns grow over potential disruptions in global supplies of Group III base oils.

In a notice to members, ILMA said the request is intended to help lubricant manufacturers maintain supply of dexos-approved engine oils if the availability of certain Group III base stocks becomes constrained. Many dexos formulations rely on high-quality base oils, including Group III, which are widely used in modern low-viscosity engine oils.

The move represents an expansion of ILMA’s recent outreach on the issue following growing concern within the lubricant industry about potential supply disruptions tied to attacks on energy infrastructure in the Middle East and the resulting uncertainty across global base oil markets. The concerns follow recent developments involving force majeure declared at Bahrain’s Bapco refinery, which raised fresh questions about global Group III supply.

ILMA said the request follows the association’s earlier appeal to the American Petroleum Institute to invoke force majeure provisions under API 1509 governing the Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System (EOLCS). If granted, the relief would allow licensed lubricant marketers temporary flexibility to substitute base oils or adjust formulations while remaining compliant with API licensing requirements during a supply disruption.

The association has also contacted the U.S. Department of Energy, urging federal officials to view the situation as a potential energy security and supply chain issue affecting critical U.S. industries.

Related Articles:

• ILMA Requests Emergency API Relief as Group III Supply Concerns Grow
• Middle East Tensions and Bapco Force Majeure Raise Fresh Questions for Group III Supply
• Base Oil, Additive Prices Move Higher as Market Reacts to Middle East Tensions