We continue our series on the document “Lubricants & Greases: End of Life – Sustainable Best Practices” (2024) by ATIEL and UEIL.
Today’s focus: Re‑Refined Base Oils (RRBOs) — one of the most important pillars of a circular lubricant economy.
What does the EoL document say?
Chapter 3.7 highlights the growing importance of RRBOs in building a more sustainable lubricant industry. The key takeaway: RRBOs are not just environmentally beneficial — they also deliver excellent technical performance.
Key points from the document:
- RRBOs meet modern quality standards, often reaching API Group I–II and occasionally Group III levels.
- Performance is on par with virgin base oils when regeneration is carried out correctly.
- Industry standards and quality assurance remain essential.
- RRBOs are considered a strategic component for reducing emissions and conserving resources.
The message is clear: RRBOs are essential for the industry’s transition toward sustainability.
How does AVISTA OIL implement RRBOs?
Our KERNSOLVAT® base oils demonstrate what state‑of‑the‑art re‑refining can achieve. They don’t just match conventional base oils—they outperform them in several key areas.
Technical performance
Our RRBOs stand out due to:
- High viscosity index
- High saturation levels → excellent oxidation stability
- Low sulfur content → cleaner performance
- Extremely low PAH content → improved environmental and health profile
These characteristics make KERNSOLVAT® a stable, high‑quality and versatile base oil, suitable for a wide range of applications.
Broad application range
Our re‑refined base oils are used successfully in:
- Automotive lubricants
- Industrial fluids and hydraulic systems
- Agriculture, construction & forestry equipment
- Various specialty applications
Customers particularly emphasize the high stability, additive solubility, and the consistent quality of our oils.
Sustainability without compromise
In addition to strong technical performance, RRBOs offer significant environmental advantages:
- Substantial crude oil savings
- A significantly lower CO₂ footprint compared to primary refining
- Externally validated benefits — confirmed by studies such as IFEU (2022) and audits from DEKRA
As we often say:
“Our re‑refined base oils are not a compromise — they’re a high‑quality alternative.”
Conclusion
What the ATIEL/UEIL document outlines is something AVISTA OIL has already put into practice:
RRBOs are a central element of a sustainable lubricant lifecycle — high‑performing, reliable, and resource‑efficient.
Our KERNSOLVAT® products prove that quality and climate protection can go hand in hand.
Next in our series
Next up:
Sustainable lubricant portfolios – how AVISTA OIL leverages RRBOs, EALs and responsible supply chains.