Turning Waste into Wealth: Inside Thermopac’s Waste Oil Re-refining Plants
In a world grappling with rising environmental challenges and resource scarcity, waste engine oil is no longer just a pollutant — it’s a resource waiting to be recovered. Each year, millions of litres of used engine oil are discarded or burned, causing soil and water contamination and releasing harmful emissions. But what if there was a way to reclaim this used oil and restore it to its original, usable form?
Welcome to the world of Waste Oil Re-refining — and meet the global pioneers of this transformation: Thermopac.
What is Waste Oil Re-refining?
Used engine oil, once drained from vehicles or machinery, contains a mixture of base oil and contaminants like carbon, heavy metals, water, and additives. While it may seem like waste, nearly 80% of this fluid is still reusable base oil — if refined correctly.
Re-refining is a chemical-engineering process that cleans and purifies used oil to produce high-quality base oil. This base oil can then be blended with additives to make fresh lubricants once again — closing the loop and embracing a truly circular economy.
Thermopac: Setting the Global Standard
With over 31 operating plants spread across 5 continents, Thermopac is not just another re-refinery technology provider — it’s a global force driving sustainability through engineering.
Every Thermopac plant is a testament to innovation, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. Here’s why our systems are trusted by oil recyclers, governments, and entrepreneurs worldwide:
1. Proven Proprietary Technology
At the core of every Thermopac system is our High Vacuum Thin Film Evaporation technology. This proprietary method ensures maximum recovery of base oil with minimal thermal degradation. Paired with advanced hydrofinishing, it delivers base oils that meet Group I and Group II quality standards — clear, low sulfur, and highly stable.
2. Complete Turnkey Solutions
From feasibility study to commissioning, Thermopac offers end-to-end project delivery. Whether you need a compact, skid-mounted system or a full-scale industrial plant, we provide custom-built re-refining plants designed to suit your feedstock, capacity, and market goals.
Our offerings include:
- Pre-treatment systems
- Dehydration and distillation units
- Gas and solid waste management systems
- Hydrofinishing reactors
- PLC automation and control
3. Environmentally Responsible Design
Each Thermopac plant is built with zero discharge and emission control systems to meet — and often exceed — global environmental regulations. From air scrubbing to water recovery, our systems are engineered to leave the lightest possible footprint.
By switching from burning used oil to re-refining it, our clients prevent hundreds of tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually while saving energy and conserving natural oil reserves.
4. Global Experience, Local Customization
Thermopac’s re-refining plants are operational in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. Our vast experience across geographies ensures that each plant is tailored to local regulations, feedstock availability, and economic conditions — while adhering to global standards of safety, quality, and performance.
5. 1 Million Litres a Day – and Growing
Today, Thermopac’s network of re-refining plants processes over 1 million litres of used oil every day. That’s more than just a number — it’s a measure of global impact. Its millions of litres of clean base oil re-entering the market. It’s thousands of tonnes of waste oil diverted from landfills and rivers. It’s the shift from waste to wealth, enabled by technology.
Why Re-refining is the Future
- Economic Viability: Used oil re-refining is a profitable business model with rising demand for clean base oils.
- Environmental Stewardship: Re-refining reduces pollution, saves energy, and protects natural ecosystems.
- Regulatory Push: Governments worldwide are banning oil burning and promoting re-refining through policy and incentives.
- Sustainability Goals: For refineries, automotive companies, and industries alike, re-refining is a key enabler of ESG targets.
Partner with Thermopac
If you’re an entrepreneur exploring opportunities in green technology, a policy-maker aiming to implement circular waste models, or an oil company seeking sustainable sourcing — Thermopac’s Waste Oil Re-refining Plants give you the edge.
We don’t just build plants.
We build sustainable, future-ready businesses.