ADNOC Distribution Launches New Plant-Based Engine Oil

ADNOC Distribution formulates and produces the Voyager Green Series at its dedicated facility in the UAE, ensuring the highest levels of quality and efficiency in accordance with international standards.(WAM)
ADNOC Distribution formulates and produces the Voyager Green Series at its dedicated facility in the UAE, ensuring the highest levels of quality and efficiency in accordance with international standards.(WAM)
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ADNOC Distribution Launches New Plant-Based Engine Oil

ADNOC Distribution formulates and produces the Voyager Green Series at its dedicated facility in the UAE, ensuring the highest levels of quality and efficiency in accordance with international standards.(WAM)
ADNOC Distribution formulates and produces the Voyager Green Series at its dedicated facility in the UAE, ensuring the highest levels of quality and efficiency in accordance with international standards.(WAM)

ADNOC Distribution, UAE's leading fuel distributor, announced launching a new Voyager Green Series range of lubricant products for both petrol and diesel engines made from 100% plant-based base oil.

The company said it is bringing plant-based lubricants to the region for the first time, saying it comes as part of its plans to broaden lubricant offering and enhance its range of products that support a reduced carbon footprint

Voyager PX Green is developed specifically for petrol engines and Voyager DX Green for diesel engines. The high-quality blending technology is the first approach in the region to be made entirely from plant-based base oils, state news agency WAM reported.

ADNOC Distribution CEO Eng. Bader Saeed Al Lamk said the innovative new range offers customers a great range of choices to select the right lubricant for their vehicles.

"Leveraging our in-house research team and production facilities, we will continue to invest in innovation that offers greater choice, quality and supports our move towards a more diversified energy mix."

Plant-based base oils are made from sustainable feedstock sources, such as palm, soy, coconut and rapeseed. The range is formulated to deliver higher levels of engine performance than conventional synthetic base oils, due to its unique molecular composition.

Also, the new series will also carry certifications from the internationally recognized American Petroleum Institute (API) as well as and major vehicle manufacturer approvals, so customers can be assured of the highest levels of quality.

This new lubricants range will be available in the UAE from March 2022, as well as across the company’s international distribution network of 19 countries.



4 Factors Behind the Decline of Saudi Stock Market in H1 2025

Two investors monitor the trading screen in the Saudi financial market in Riyadh (AFP) 
Two investors monitor the trading screen in the Saudi financial market in Riyadh (AFP) 
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4 Factors Behind the Decline of Saudi Stock Market in H1 2025

Two investors monitor the trading screen in the Saudi financial market in Riyadh (AFP) 
Two investors monitor the trading screen in the Saudi financial market in Riyadh (AFP) 

Financial analysts and market specialists have identified four main factors driving the decline of the Saudi stock market during the first half of 2025. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, they pointed to heightened geopolitical tensions in the region, ongoing trade disputes and tariffs between the United States, China, and Europe, oil price volatility, and persistently high interest rates. Collectively, these pressures have squeezed liquidity and weighed heavily on market performance.

Despite the downturn, analysts expect the market to gradually recover over the second half of the year, supported by potential global interest rate cuts, stabilizing oil prices, easing economic uncertainty, and forecasts of robust growth in Saudi Arabia’s GDP and the non-oil sector, alongside continued government spending on major projects.

The Saudi stock market recorded notable losses in the first six months of 2025, with the benchmark index retreating 7.25%, shedding 872 points to close at 11,163, compared to 12,036 at the end of 2024. Market capitalization plunged by around $266 billion (SAR 1.07 trillion), bringing the total value of listed shares to SAR 9.1 trillion.

Seventeen sectors posted declines during this period, led by utilities, which plummeted nearly 32%. The energy sector fell 13%, and basic materials dropped 8%. In contrast, telecom stocks advanced around 7%, while the banking sector eked out a marginal 0.05% gain.

Dr. Suleiman Al-Humaid Al-Khalidi, a financial analyst and member of the Saudi Economic Association, described the first-half performance as marked by significant swings. “The index rose to 12,500 points, only to lose nearly 2,000 points before recovering to about 11,260,” he said.

He attributed the volatility to several factors: regional geopolitical strains, oil prices dipping to $56 a barrel, and high interest rates, which constrained liquidity. He noted that financing costs for traders now range between 7.5% and 9%, historically elevated levels.

“The Saudi market posted the steepest decline among regional exchanges despite record banking sector profits, which failed to translate into stronger overall index performance,” he observed.

Looking ahead, Al-Khalidi anticipates three interest rate cuts totaling 0.75 percentage points by next year, which would bring rates down to about 3.75%. “That should encourage a recovery in trading activity, improve liquidity, and support an upward trend in the index toward 12,000 points, potentially reaching 13,500 if momentum builds,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Hamdy Omar, economic analyst and CEO of G-World, described the downturn as largely expected, citing external pressures and prolonged trade tensions between the US, China, and Europe. “Retaliatory tariffs dampened investor confidence globally, and Saudi Arabia was no exception,” he said.

Lower oil revenues also strained state finances, leading to a budget deficit of SAR 58.7 billion in the first quarter, further tightening liquidity. Trading volumes fell over 30% year-on-year.

Omar pointed out that changes to land tax regulations and heightened regional security risks also weighed on sentiment. Nonetheless, he expects gradual improvement in the second half of 2025, driven by anticipated rate cuts, rebounding oil prices, and continued large-scale public investments.

He stressed the need for vigilance: “Saudi Arabia remains among the most stable markets, thanks to proactive regulation and policies designed to attract foreign capital and bolster investor confidence.”