With the recent, unprecedented crash of crude oil prices, questions have been raised as to how this is reflected in lubricant prices. In fact, changes in the prices of lubricants, and the base oils that are their foundation, do not mirror either those of crude oil or gasoline. Supply and demand over time is the fundamental price-setting mechanism for lubricants and base oils.

ILMA has prepared an excellent source of information, Why Lubricant Prices Don’t Mirror Crude Oil Prices, to help demystify the relationship between the two. The information is in a flyer format that you can print out and have available for anyone who is interested.