2025 Agenda
Main conference begins
- 08:00 - 09:00
Morning registration and networking breakfast
- 09:20 - 09:25
Producer's opening remarks
Speaker:
Emily Harris
Conference ProducerArgus- 09:25 - 09:30
Chairperson's welcome remarks
Speaker:
Guo Harn Hong
Global Lead Base OilsArgus
Keynote producer's panel and Argus market update
- 09:30 - 09:40
Interactive objective setting
- What is the size of the opportunity in Latin America – considering growing economies, infrastructure, vehicle parks, industry and more – and how does this impact the demand for base oils and lubricants?
- How has the industry landscape evolved in Latin America over recent years and what are the next steps to take to ensure a stable network of supply and transport across the region?
- How are leaders using their expertise in supply chains and inventory strategies to support the wider development of the Latin American base oils and lubricants industry?
- 09:40 - 10:40
Argus views: 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?
- How is policy affecting this region? Considering US tariffs, Mexican permitting, auto parts tariffs and more.
- How is the demand for synthetic and semi-synthetic lubricants for engines currently being built affecting the inventory and production strategies of base oil producers?
Speakers Include:
John Dietrich
Deputy Editor - Base OilsArgus
Julio Viana
Market Reporter - Base OilsArgus
Morning break
- 10:40 - 11:20
Morning networking and coffee break
Approvals and global trade policy
- 11:20 - 11:50
Base oils approvals and licensing: Why a fully-approved product is crucial to success in the international markets
- What is the difference between an approved and unapproved lubricant?
- Why are fully-approved lubricants more desirable in key international trade destinations such as the US and Europe?
- How do industry licensing and oil approval programmes also help to promote sustainability in the base oil and lubricants industries? Considering life cycle assessments, carbon foot printing and more measuring tools.
Michael Boyer
DirectorSAIL-EuropeModerator:
Gabriella Twining
Global Editor - Base OilsArgus- 11:50 - 12:20
Lubricants and tariffs: What lessons can we learn from the US trade policy to safeguard the future of the lubricants industry?
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How are tariffs affecting the trade relationship between the US and the rest of the world?
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How important is it for the Latin and North American lubricants industry to monitor US trade policy going forward to balance growth, sustainability and growing demand?
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How might the current US administration’s plans to end the EV mandate, promises to end inflation, alongside promises of increased drilling affect lubricants demand and the type of base oils produced?
Speaker:
Dr Ernie Henderson
PresidentK&E Petroleum-
Moderator:
Gabriella Twining
Global Editor - Base OilsArgus
Lunch break
- 12:20 - 14:00
Lunch break
Join us for a sit down lunch in the Riverfront South and network with your peers over a meal
Hybrid vehicles, ICE engines, and small engine motor oils
- 14:00 - 14:30
How is Latin America's shifting car park affecting the demand for engine oils?
- What is the current size of Latin America's internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle car park and how much is the hybrid vehicle market growing across the continent?
- What type of oils go into hybrid vehicles and how to these differ from those for ICE vehicles?
- Could an increasingly hybrid car park drive Latin America to adopt more Grp II and Grp III base oils? Where would these be sourced from?
Speaker:
Nikhil Agarwal
Managing DirectorGlobestar Energy FZEModerator:
Julio Viana
Market Reporter - Base OilsArgus- 14:30 - 15:00
Life on two wheels: The unique role of small engine motor oils in keeping the region’s motorcycle commuters moving
- What unique challenges are posed by motorcycles and small engines - including fuels, the need for a single lubricant to protect the clutch, gearbox and engine - and how do motorcycle lubricant formulations address this?
- Why is it so important to use small engine specific oils for motorcycles instead of passenger car motor oils, and what opportunities does this present for the region's lubricant industry with rapidly increasing motorcycle ownership?
- What are the key industry specifications and oil standards to be considered for motorcycle engine oils?
Speaker:
Fabio Araujo
Latin America Business Manager Engine OilsLubrizolModerator:
Julio Viana
Market Reporter - Base OilsArgus
Afternoon break
- 15:00 - 15:45
Afternoon networking and coffee break
Heavy products and mining lubricants
- 15:45 - 16:15
Heavy products landscape: Looking to naphthenic and Grp I production across the region
- What is the current production landscape and market drivers for naphthenic and Grp I base oils across Latin America and why are these heavy product oils so popular?
- What are the unique properties of these oils that make them so desirable for end-uses such as metalworking fluids, greases, rubber procession and industrial lubricants?
- How much growth is expected in this market considering a booming manufacturing and industrial economy across Latin America?
Speaker:
Rhyan Plumlee
Global Intelligence ManagerErgonModerator:
John Dietrich
Deputy Editor - Base OilsArgus- 16:15 - 16:45
Industrial lubricants focus: Understanding the world of mining and steelworking lubricants
- Mining and steel industries dominate the economies of the West coast of Latin America and in Central America – how large is the mining lubricant industry in terms of demand, growth, and country needs?
- What formulation needs are there for mining and steel lubricants and what is the process for developing and approving additive packages in this industry?
- Will these heavy industry lubricants be subjected to any incoming sustainability legislation?
Speaker:
Mark Bass
Vice PresidentWhitmore Manufacturing LLCModerator:
John Dietrich
Deputy Editor - Base OilsArgus- 16:45 - 16:50
Chairperson's closing remarks
Speaker:
Guo Harn Hong
Global Lead Base OilsArgus
Networking drinks reception
- 16:50 - 19:00
Welcome to the Argus Base Oils Latin America Conference drinks reception
Open to all registered delegates. Join us for a themed drinks reception at the Hyatt Regency Miami. Full details to be released soon.
Main conference resumes
- 09:00 - 10:00
Networking breakfast
- 09:55 - 10:00
Chairperson's opening remarks
Speaker:
Guo Harn Hong
Global Lead Base OilsArgus
- 10:00 - 10:45
Keynote panel: Assessing the lubricants landscape across Latin America
- The Latin American lubricants market has been growing year on year with continued growth projections up to 2030 – how has the industry changed over recent years and how are blenders factoring key issues such as sustainability, evolving vehicle parks, base oil supply and more to ensure they meet this growth?
- Considering automotive, industrial and marine lubricants – what are the key market drivers for each industry and how can blenders best position for success in each market?
- What are the key market drivers that this industry should be aware of?
Speakers Include:
Marcelo Guimarães
Base Oil Executive ManagerICONIC
Lucas Minucci
CEOTamco Lubrificantes
Roger Gonzalez
Manager of Sales and Business Development (Mexico and LATAM)PentholModerator:
Julio Viana
Market Reporter - Base OilsArgus- 10:45 - 11:15
New opportunities: Diving into the world of synthetic and bio-based lubricants
- What are the fundamental differences between traditional petroleum based lubricants and bio or synthetic lubricants? How do they compare in terms of sustainability, affordability, availability of supply and effectiveness?
- Where are we seeing interest in bio and synthetic lubricants coming from? Who is investing in these over petroleum-based lubricants and why?
- Can bio- and synthetic lubricants ensure the same quality as petroleum lubricants? How will quality be monitored and assured for end-users?
Speaker:
William Downey
SVP Business DevelopmentNovvi LLCModerator:
Julio Viana
Market Reporter - Base OilsArgus
Morning break
- 11:15 - 11:45
Morning networking and coffee break
Argus global outlook, trade route views, freight and logistics
- 11:45 - 12:30
Argus global outlook and trade flows update: Increased international market presence, arbitrage open across Asia, and key market drivers beyond 2026
- What is the big picture outlook for global base oils and lubricants trade across Latin America in the years ahead – what will be the key trends to watch in 2026 and beyond?
- What can the market expect in terms of supply, demand, and pricing in 2026 and beyond?
- How are global trade flows in and out of Europe developing and what does this mean for Latin America’s role in the global base oils economy?
Speakers Include:
Gabriella Twining
Global Editor - Base OilsArgusGuo Harn Hong
Global Lead Base OilsArgus- 12:30 - 13:15
The final piece of the puzzle – Understanding the freight and logistical networks connecting Latin America to the rest of the world
- Freight pricing can make or break a deal’s profitability - at what point does the market become unsustainable owing to increased freight prices? What needs to be done to ease the weight of freight?
- What challenges are presented by inland refineries and the need to transport product efficiently to ports and how are logistics teams adapting to and mitigating current crises? Considering replacing trucks with railcars, though they hold less product – how do companies balance this?
- Understand global shipping routes and their logistical impacts – Panama canal issues, ships from Asia, flexi tanks versus iso and more.
Speakers Include:
Sten Svendsen
Vice PresidentASF LogisticsModerator:
Gabriella Twining
Global Editor - Base OilsArgus