Recycle Base Oil

The significance of our Quality Control in Recycled Base Oil SN500, SN150, SN350, and their export cannot be overstated. We believe you are a key customer, and our aim is to establish a long-term, quality-focused partnership. With extensive experience in exporting high-quality recycled base oils like SN500, SN350, and SN150, we strive to ensure that your expectations align with the market’s preferences, eliminating any quality issues or misunderstandings.

Understanding Our Quality Control and Shipment Process

BITUPLUS CO LTD has been a trusted player in the base oil trading business since 2006. We export approximately 100 to 150 containers of base oil, both in flexi bags and reconditioned drums, to the global market each month. Our product portfolio comprises 80% recycled base oil and 20% virgin products, with 70% of our shipments packaged in reconditioned drums. We are proudly recognized among the top 5 exporters of base oil in the Middle East.

Market Profile

Typically, economically challenged countries that cannot afford high quantities of virgin base oil prefer recycled grades. These buyers seek recycled base oil within controlled specifications. They favor reconditioned drums for ease of transport and retail trading, avoiding investments in tank storage facilities.

Contractual Process and Quality Assurance

Clear agreements are crucial from the outset. Any points of contention should be resolved before signing the Proforma Invoice/contract. After signing, the terms are final, minimizing disputes later on. For each purchase/contract, we require the following documents:

a) Signed Proforma Invoice/contract. b) Signed specification sheet or Certificate of Analysis (COA). c) Photos and videos of the oil, showcasing color and clarity. d) Images of the reconditioned drums intended for the shipment.

Oil Quality

Three key aspects of oil quality are color, appearance or clarity, and viscosity. Light-colored oils are preferred in the market, with customers avoiding dark-colored oils (e.g., 3.0 or higher). Recycled base oil may undergo acid treatment in the refining process, potentially causing color changes. However, these changes should not exceed +0.5 from agreed specifications. Significant deviations in color can affect local selling prices and lead to claims.

Recycled base oil must maintain clarity and should not be cloudy, murky, or contaminated with water or other substances. Properly washed reconditioned drums are essential to prevent oil from becoming murky or cloudy. Viscosity should adhere strictly to the specifications agreed upon in the contract, meeting both 40°C and 100°C viscosity standards according to API guidelines.

API Standard Specifications

Buyers are already familiar with API guidelines for base oil specifications. We adhere to these API standards when purchasing and ensure that our products meet these specifications.

Specifications	SN 150 RC	SN 300 RC	SN 500 RC
Appearance	Bright & Clear	Bright & Clear	Bright & Clear
Clarity / No-contamination	No water mixture, no chemical mixture, not-murky or cloudy color	No water mixture, no chemical mixture, not-murky or cloudy color	No water mixture, no chemical mixture, not-murky or cloudy color
Color	1.0 to 1.5 Max	1.5 to 2.0 Max	2.0 to 2.5 Max
Viscosity @ 40°C	28 to 32	45 to 65	90 to 105
Viscosity @ 100°C	4.4 to 5.6	6.5 to 8.0	9.5 to 11.5
Flash Point	210	210	210
Viscosity Index	90 to 120	90 to 120	90 to 120
Pour Point	-3 to -6	-3 to -6	-3 to -6
Density	As per actual	As per actual	As per actual

Load Port Survey Report

To prevent any quality disputes upon arrival, it is of utmost importance to obtain samples from the actual cargo at the load port or the supplier’s warehouse. This load port survey report should be presented to us for acceptance and approval before the shipment is executed. Only with our approval and acceptance should you proceed with the shipment. Unfortunately, there have been instances where unreliable shippers presented excellent samples in videos and photos but later shipped poor-quality products to deceive buyers. To prevent such occurrences, it is highly recommended to engage a load port surveyor from a reputable laboratory and analysis company. The cost of this surveyor is relatively small compared to the potential losses and claims resulting from subpar quality, making it a wise investment for every shipment. The load port survey results must align with the agreed specifications outlined in the contract or business confirmation, and we will provide a “Load Port Survey Report” for each shipment.

Photo/Video Proof of Actual Shipment

It is imperative to provide video and photo updates of the products at various stages, including when the products are ready for shipment, during container stuffing before closing the doors, and most importantly, when the oil is being transferred from the drums or flexibag within the actual cargo container. These images and videos should depict:

• Drums in the supplier’s warehouse.
• The oil being extracted from the actual cargo specified in the contract.
• Oil containers placed atop the drums.

It is crucial to emphasize that these images and videos must represent the actual product for this specific contract, not samples or media from other contracts or shipments.

Packaging

The quality of reconditioned drums is as significant as the quality of the oil they contain, with a ratio of 10% to 90%. Just as milk stored in a dirty bottle can spoil the entire contents, using unclean, unwashed drums with residues of chemicals or contaminants can compromise the entire drum of oil. The cost of reconditioned drums typically accounts for only 10% of the CFR (Cost and Freight) cost, underscoring the importance of ensuring their quality. Whenever possible, source drums directly from a reputable drum factory to maintain control over the drum quality. Purchasing both oil and drums from an oil factory may lead to the use of low-quality drums from the factory’s inventory, without adequate quality checks. Avoid the use of chemical, additive, or adhesive drums, as these can affect the oil’s quality. Ensure that there is no residual water in the drums, as this can make the oil appear milky or cloudy. Additionally, black-colored drums should be avoided, and it’s preferable to have uniform drum colors within each container, such as blue, red, yellow, or green. Damaged drums, including dents, cracks, or holes, should be rejected to prevent oil leakage during transit, as cleanup costs can be substantial. Proper cleaning and washing of the drum interiors are essential.

Labels and Markings

Drums should be labeled according to customer import requirements, including product label markings and PPRD label markings, as instructed.

Uses for Recycled Oil

Recycled base oil finds applications in various industries, including:

• Industrial burner oil, where used oil is dewatered, filtered, and demineralized for use in industrial burners.
• Mould oil for facilitating the release of products from molds (e.g., pressed metal products and concrete).
• Hydraulic oil.
• Bitumen-based products.
• As an additive in manufactured products.

Importance of Connecting with Us

Recycled base oil can vary in color, clarity, viscosity, and drum quality. Therefore, it is crucial to establish relationships with 3-4 reliable direct oil factories. It is not advisable to purchase recycled base oil from traders, as they may not have knowledge of the actual factory producing the oil. Traders may not enforce quality standards as rigorously as end-users. Therefore, if you purchase from an unknown or new supplier, problems can arise if you do not exercise control over the factory’s production or if the factory compromises on quality in the shipments.