Shell builds lubricant plant in N China

Global petroleum company Royal Dutch Shell started the construction of a new lubricant plant in north China's industrial hub of Tianjin on Wednesday.

The new plant will go into operation in 2015, said Mark Gainsborough, executive vice president of Shell's global commercial business.

Gainsborough said China is one of Shell's most valued markets, adding that the country will likely take the place of the United States as the world's largest lubricant market in the next decade.

The plant, located in the Binhai New Area, will be Shell's seventh plant in China and will employ 250 people.