Re-Refining

Used Oil Refining

Re-refining used oil restores the chemical composition of the base oil so that it can be used to produce new lubricant products over and over again. Re-refining is an energy efficient and environmentally beneficial method for managing used oil. Instead of burning the used oil, which releases harmful emission into the atmosphere, re-refining conserves the base oil.

Re-Refined Oil Quality

Technological advancements for re-refining used oil since the mid-1990’s, have resulted in superior quality base oils and lubricants in the market today that can meet the most stringent standards for automotive engine oil specifications. Re-refined base oils meet the American Petroleum Institute (API) and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) specifications, and they are equivalent to the performance standards of base oils produced from crude oil. The International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) and the American Petroleum Institute (API) have both certified that re-refined motor oil is approved for use by most major auto manufacturers and will not void engine or transmission warranties.

Re-Refined Oil Cycle

Lubricants are typically comprised of 80-90% base oil and 10-20% specialty additives that distinguish the product such as a motor oil, transmission or hydraulic fluid, or industrial process oil. Most all base oils originate from the processing of crude oil. The lubricants eventually become “spent” (think of the oil in your car) and are no longer effective because either the additives have broken down or the lubricant has become contaminated with impurities during its use. However, the base oil retains its original properties and usefulness.

Through the re-refining process, the used oils can be processed to remove the original additives and contaminants acquired through use allowing the base oil to be retained. Once the re-refining process is complete, new chemical additives can be blended back into the base oil to fortify and bring the base oil to the performance standards desired for the new lubricant. This cycle can be repeated indefinitely since there is essentially no degradation in the base oil.