Paramount Trading Limited has invested US$400,000 in the build-out of an oil-testing laboratory at its East Bell Road, Kingston, production facility.

The interim laboratory forms part of a partnership agreement with Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Petroleum for the construction of an oil-blending plant — inclusive of an oil-testing lab at Paramount’s Waltham Park office — valued at US$500 million, as the company seeks to get a toehold in the export market.

According to general manager of the company, Vaughn Phang, the lab — which is now open to consumers — will give access to comprehensive information about the quality of oil being used in their vehicles, the maximum mileage they can get, as well as an indication of the condition of the engine.

“What we have done is upgraded and acquired some new equipment to do some additional testing. Some of the very same equipment will be used in the other lab, so we are able to provide the service even before the blending has started,” Phang told the

Jamaica Observer.

The new laboratory will result in employment for at least two individuals.

According to Paramount, the facility will provide quality-based evaluations to customers and is also expected to significantly reduce the amount of time taken to send samples for testing overseas to as little as two hours or two working days — depending on the job required — down from the previous four to six weeks.

“We wanted to provide more value for money to customers, as well as satisfaction with using our services, so they can be aware of the quality of oil they are using. Most importantly, we would want to provide quick test results that the customer can use to make better-informed decisions in the shortest time possible,” the general manager stated in a release from the company.

According to Paramount, the lab is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery to test lubricants’ viscosities at various operating temperatures to determine the health of the oil and its suitability for continued use. The oil can also be tested for trace levels of impurities, which can also point to engine wear and burn properties of the engine.

Paramount’s sales team and laboratory technicians have also engaged in a technical training programme by the Allegheny representatives, and instrumentation engineers on the full use and functionality of the cutting-edge equipment.

CEO of Allegheny Petroleum Products, Jim Kudis, noted that the lab was put in place to support the total customer lubricant programme and announced the introduction is a new diesel oil containing CK-4 and FA-4.

“This will have superior engine wear protection, oxidation resistance for extended drain intervals, and fuel economy surpassing today’s current diesel engine oil,” he said.

The technology will enhance the performance of newer engines using ultra-low sulphur diesel and a customised version will also be available to provide the same benefits to engines using regular diesel.

“This oil-testing lab will be able to measure and validate all these parameters,” Kudis said.