
Comprehensive Explanation: Recycle Base Oil SN150- SN500
Recycling base oils like SN150 and SN500 is an essential process that helps reduce environmental pollution, minimize dependence on crude oil, and promote sustainability in the lubricants industry. These base oils are commonly used in automotive and industrial lubricants. The recycling process involves several stages, including collection, refining, and re-refining to restore the oil to its original quality or even enhance its performance.
What Are SN150 & SN500 Base Oils?
SN150 Base Oil:
- Viscosity: ~5.0 – 5.6 cSt @ 100°C
- Applications: Light-duty lubricants, hydraulic fluids, transformer oils
- Properties: Low viscosity, good oxidation stability
SN500 Base Oil:
- Viscosity: ~11 – 13 cSt @ 100°C
- Applications: Medium to heavy-duty lubricants, gear oils, engine oils
- Properties: Higher viscosity, better load-carrying capacity
Both SN150 and SN500 are Group I base oils, derived from crude oil refining using solvent extraction and hydro-treatment. However, over time, they degrade due to contamination, oxidation, and thermal breakdown, necessitating recycling.
Why Recycle Base Oils?
- Environmental Benefits: Prevents soil and water contamination caused by used oil disposal.
- Economic Advantages: Reduces dependency on virgin crude oil, lowering production costs.
- Sustainability: Supports circular economy practices by reusing materials instead of discarding them.
- Performance Restoration: Enhances oil properties by removing impurities and replenishing additives.
Base Oil Recycling Process
The recycling process involves collection, pre-treatment, refining, and final processing to obtain high-quality regenerated base oils.
Step 1: Collection & Pre-Treatment
Used SN150 & SN500 oils are collected from industries, automotive workshops, and factories.
Contaminants like water, sludge, and solid particles are removed through settling and filtration.
Step 2: Removal of Contaminants
- Vacuum Distillation: Heats the oil under vacuum to separate light and heavy fractions, removing fuel and water content.
- Clay Treatment / Adsorption: Uses activated clay or silica to remove color, oxidized materials, and unwanted compounds.
Step 3: Refining & Re-Refining
There are two primary methods:
A. Acid-Clay Process (Traditional Method)
- Acid Treatment: Sulfuric acid removes impurities and sludge.
- Clay Treatment: Adsorbs color bodies and stabilizes the oil.
- Filtration: Produces a re-refined base oil with improved properties.
🔹 Pros: Low cost, simple process
🔹 Cons: Produces hazardous acid sludge, lower yield
B. Modern Vacuum Distillation & Hydro-Treatment
- Vacuum Distillation: Separates oil fractions without thermal degradation.
- Hydro-Treatment: Uses hydrogen and catalysts to remove sulfur, nitrogen, and aromatics, improving oxidation stability.
- Finishing & Blending: Adjusts viscosity, adds performance-enhancing additives.
🔹 Pros: Eco-friendly, produces high-quality oil
🔹 Cons: Requires higher capital investment

Quality & Performance of Recycle Base Oil SN150- SN500
After recycling, SN150 & SN500 oils can match or exceed virgin base oil standards, with properties such as:
- Improved Viscosity Index – Ensures stable lubrication across temperature changes.
- Enhanced Oxidation Stability – Reduces sludge formation and oil thickening.
- Better Purity – Low sulfur and reduced contaminants.
- Higher Lubricity – Suitable for high-performance applications.
Applications of Recycled Base Oils
- Automotive Lubricants – Engine oils, transmission fluids
- Industrial Lubricants – Gear oils, metalworking fluids
- Hydraulic Oils – Machinery and equipment lubrication
- Transformer & Insulating Oils – Electrical applications
Challenges & Future Trends
Challenges in Recycling SN150 & SN500
- Collection & Segregation: Difficulty in gathering uncontaminated used oil.
- Process Cost: High-tech recycling methods require large investments.
- Regulatory Compliance: Must meet environmental and industry standards.
Future Trends in Base Oil Recycling
🔹 Advanced Filtration & Membrane Technology – Improves impurity removal efficiency.
🔹 Eco-Friendly Solvents & Catalysts – Reduces hazardous waste.
🔹 Integration of AI & Automation – Enhances process control and quality.
🔹 Increased Circular Economy Adoption – More industries reusing re-refined oils.
Southeast Asian ports including Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Philippines
for shipping Recycle Base Oil SN150 & SN500
Southeast Asia is home to numerous strategic ports that facilitate international trade and logistics. Below is an overview of key ports in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, and the Philippines:
Vietnam:
- Hai Phong Port: Located in northern Vietnam, Hai Phong Port is one of the country’s largest and most significant seaports, serving as a critical gateway for trade in the Red River Delta region.
- Da Nang Port: Situated in central Vietnam, Da Nang Port is a major deep-water port that connects the central region to international maritime routes.
- Saigon Port (Ho Chi Minh City): As part of a network of ports in Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon Port is among Vietnam’s primary seaports, capable of handling post-Panamax ships.
Thailand:
- Laem Chabang Port: Located on the Gulf of Thailand, Laem Chabang is Thailand’s largest deep-sea port, handling a significant portion of the country’s container throughput.
- Bangkok Port: Situated along the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok Port serves as a central hub for cargo distribution within Thailand.
Indonesia:
- Port of Tanjung Priok (Jakarta): As Indonesia’s busiest seaport, Tanjung Priok handles the majority of the country’s international trade, serving as a primary gateway for goods entering and leaving Indonesia.
- Port of Bitung: Located in North Sulawesi, the Port of Bitung is a significant seaport in eastern Indonesia, facilitating trade routes to the Philippines and Vietnam.
Taiwan:
- Port of Kaohsiung: Situated in southern Taiwan, Kaohsiung is the island’s largest port and a major hub in the Asia-Pacific region, handling a substantial volume of container traffic.
Philippines:
- Port of Manila: As the primary international shipping gateway to the Philippines, the Port of Manila handles a significant portion of the country’s import and export activities.
- Port of Cebu: Located in the central Philippines, the Port of Cebu is a key maritime hub, facilitating trade within the Visayas region and beyond.

The Importance of Using SN150 and SN500 Recycled Base Oils in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is experiencing rapid industrial growth, leading to increased demand for lubricants in sectors such as automotive, manufacturing, and power generation. With sustainability becoming a global priority, the use of recycled SN150 and SN500 base oils is gaining momentum as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to virgin base oils.
1. Environmental Benefits
- Waste Reduction: Recycling used lubricants reduces hazardous waste disposal, preventing environmental contamination.
- Lower Carbon Footprint: Producing recycled base oils requires less energy and emits fewer greenhouse gases compared to refining crude oil.
- Conservation of Natural Resources: By reusing lubricants, the demand for virgin crude oil extraction decreases, preserving natural reserves.
2. Economic and Industrial Advantages
- Cost-Effective Alternative: Recycled SN150 and SN500 base oils offer similar performance at a lower cost, benefiting industries looking for affordable lubrication solutions.
- Enhanced Energy Efficiency: The re-refining process is more energy-efficient than crude oil refining, reducing overall industrial energy consumption.
- Strengthened Local Supply Chains: Southeast Asia can reduce its dependency on imported virgin base oils by investing in recycling infrastructure, ensuring price stability and supply security.
3. Growing Market Demand for Sustainable Solutions
- Government Regulations: Many Southeast Asian countries are enforcing stricter environmental policies, making the use of recycled oils a compliant and responsible choice.
- Sustainable Business Practices: Companies adopting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies prefer using recycled lubricants to align with global sustainability goals.
- Expanding Automotive & Industrial Sectors: The growing demand for lubricants in manufacturing, transport, and heavy machinery creates opportunities for high-quality recycled base oils.
Specification of Recycle Base Oil SN150:
| SPECIFICATION | MIN | MAX | METHOD |
| Viscosity @100˚C | 6 | 7.5 | ASTM D-445 |
| Viscosity @40˚C | 35 | 55 | ASTM D-445 |
| Viscosity Index | 100 | 110 | ASTM D-2270 |
| Flash Point ˚C | 170 | 180 | ASTM D-92 |
| Pour point | 0 | 0 | ASTM D-97 |
| Total Acid Number mgKOH/g | 0 | 0.03 | ASTM D-664 |
| Color | 1.5 | 2 | ASTM D-1500 |
| Density | 0.868 | 0.874 | ASTM D-1298 |
TDS of Recycled Base Oil SN 150-1
Specification of Recycle Base Oil SN150:
| SPECIFICATION | MIN | MAX | METHOD |
| Viscosity @100˚C | 9.5 | 11.5 | ASTM D-445 |
| Viscosity Index | 90 | 95 | ASTM D-2270 |
| Flash Point ˚C | 240 | 250 | ASTM D-92 |
| Pour point | -2 | 0 | ASTM D-97 |
| Total Acid Number mgKOH/g | 0.2 | 0.25 | ASTM D-664 |
| Color | 1.5 | 2 | ASTM D-1500 |
| Density | 0.885 | 0.895 | ASTM D-1298 |
| Column 1 Value 8 | Column 2 Value 8 | Column 3 Value 8 | Column 4 Value 8 |
TDS of Recycled Base Oil SN 500



