In a world grappling with environmental challenges, innovative solutions are emerging to tackle the issue of waste management and sustainability. One such pioneering effort involves the conversion of used cooking oil into biodiesel—a green fuel alternative that holds significant promise. Innovations are also in place to convert used engine oil into base oil, thereby putting it back into the loop. 

This article delves into the intricacies of used oil recycling, its challenges, and potential opportunities. While Karl W Feilder, Founder, Neutral Fuels, and Yousif bin Saeed Lootah, Founder of Lootah Biofuels, gave insights into recycling used oil into biofuels, Yasir bin Taiyab, Technical Manager, Green Mountains, spoke about the process involved in recycling used engine oil into base oil. 

The heart of the conversation laid in understanding the significance of recycling oil in the Middle East.  Yousif bin Saeed Lootah said, “Oil and grease trap recycling are critical to the UAE, primarily because it prevents possibly hazardous waste from reaching landfills and perhaps underlying utility pipelines in other dumping areas.” As the UAE steps up its Net Zero 2050 efforts through its Energy Diversification strategy,  recycling oil and grease traps to create energy can contribute significantly, mainly by converting them into biofuels. It also aligns with the UAE's goals of promoting a circular economy and sustainable resource management.

Noting that used cooking oil serves as the primary feedstock for producing biodiesel, Karl Feilder said its appeal lies not only in its efficacy as a raw material but also in its low carbon footprint. Having already fulfilled its initial purpose of cooking food, used cooking oil offers an environmentally friendly avenue for producing biodiesel. 

Speaking about the response to the utilisation of biodiesel derived from cooking oil in the Middle East, Lootah said that it was slow initially. “However, after a decade of awareness and marketing efforts, we see a change in mindset and customer behaviour. There has been rapid growth in awareness and acceptance of biodiesel locally and globally in recent years.”  

According to Feilder, the reception to this innovative technology has been overwhelmingly positive, with a remarkable increase in interest witnessed over the past few years. What started as an endeavor primarily attracting international businesses has now found traction among local companies. This shift underscores a growing awareness of the need for sustainable practices and green solutions in waste management, he noted. 

Key challenges

While the potential benefits of oil and grease trap recycling are promising, several challenges must be overcome to ensure the efficient and safe disposal of waste. Feilder highlighted that a substantial portion of used cooking oil is exported overseas, particularly to Europe. This diminishes the potential for creating a sustainable biodiesel market within the country. The economic dynamics of fuel prices play a pivotal role, with European oil prices outstripping local rates. The import-export paradigm necessitates a shift in perspective and policy to enhance local recycling and fuel production. 

“So for most of the last few years, the price of cooking oil for us to buy as a raw material has been higher than the price of regular diesel. So before we've even started manufacturing biodiesel, the input costs are more expensive than the selling price, at least as far as the customers are concerned. So in the last few years, we've seen a lot of people recognise this as a global problem and therefore they are now paying international prices for biodiesel and not comparing it with the local price of diesel,” he explained. 

For Lootah, the biggest obstacle lies in maintaining the integrity of the supply chain and ensuring that collected oil remains unadulterated. “Managing the supply chain process and ensuring the collected oil has minimal adulteration are critical challenges in the waste-to-energy industry. A recycler incentivises used-cooking oil (UCO) supplying partners, which prevents cooking oil from being dumped in sewerage, ensuring efficient collection and adding value to the waste. While this motivates restaurants and hotels to salvage UCO, it also causes a tendency to increase volumes through adulteration with water and food waste to gain monetary benefits. The adulterated UCO reduces the recovery at the production unit incurring losses to the recyclers like us.” 

Technical and innovative pathways

Running vehicles and equipment on cooking oil-based biodiesel doesn't necessitate extensive modifications. Explaining the process, Lootah said, “The most common cooking oil-based biodiesel ranges from 5 per cent to 20 per cent biofuel blended with petroleum diesel. Vehicles or equipment do not require modifications for such lower blends. Engine manufacturers have a proposed limit that the consumer can verify. For consumers targeting higher blend ratios, kits are available to enhance the equipment (or vehicles) to receive higher blend ratios or even 100% biodiesel as a straight fuel.” These technical advancements bridge the gap between sustainable practices and operational feasibility. 

Feilder said, “The use of cooking oil needs to be chemically processed to turn it into a biofuel. 

But once you make it into a standard compliant biodiesel, you can use it in any diesel vehicle and indeed it actually runs better than the normal fossil fuel diesel. It makes the engine last longer and you get slightly better fuel consumption.”  

Regulation and value recognition

Efficient recycling requires a shift in perception—viewing used cooking oil not as waste but as a valuable raw material, said Feilder, emphasising the need for accurate recordkeeping and digital monitoring. Neutral Fuel has embraced technology, employing digital platforms to track oil collection, quality, and handling, he added. This step elevates used cooking oil from mere waste to a high-value commodity deserving of meticulous management

The conversation delved into the crucial role of policies in fostering a circular economy. The need for policy changes that discourage the export of valuable raw materials became apparent. Feilder advocated for a ban on exporting materials such as used cooking oil, glass, and plastic, thereby promoting local recycling and reducing the carbon footprint associated with international transportation.

Lootah too echoed a similar thought. While batting for strong policies to promote and attract potential investors in waste to energy, he said, “Raw materials such as UCO must be restricted to local manufacturers ensuring their secured growth of the biofuel sector in the country, as many oil traders gain benefits by supplying UCO to European markets, which affects local investor margins.” 

To achieve ideal circularity, the waste from a regional market should be converted within the region itself. The export of waste makes a weak case for sustainability, and exporting to underdeveloped countries with food scarcity may not prioritise conversion to energy and tend to be reused in food processes or cooking, leading to grave future health concerns. Policies must act against such malpractices, he noted. 

Further, he spoke about the importance of authorised waste collection and recycling. “The ecosystem basically involves suppliers (restaurants and Hotels, in our case), recyclers and governing authorities like government bodies that oversee the sector. Whether it's UCO, acid oil or lubricants etc., the oil must be routed to authorised recyclers only that ensure its handling from the waste raw material until its conversion to a value-added product.

Recyclers are obliged in their business model to track incoming feed and its journey till the finished product and monitor wastage (if any) to be further handled by authorized waste collectors by municipal/government bodies.”

Feilder noted that recycling of used oil is not an attractive option for restaurants and hotels for instance. “Every other waste stream that the hotel or restaurant generates, they have to pay people to remove them (paper, glass and aluminum) from the restaurant. But in the case of used cooking oil, they actually sell and make money out of it.” 

Achieving circularity for oil

Centralised data management systems are key to achieving circularity in the oil industry, noted Lootah. “Gathering accurate data on cooking oil volumes, from production to recycling, creates a streamlined and transparent tracking system. This approach ensures that waste materials are effectively repurposed, supporting a circular economy,” he noted. 

Lootah Biofuel's commitment to sustainability lies at the heart of its circular economy initiative. By preventing sub-standard cooking oil from reentering the food chain and ensuring efficient supply chain processes, the company produces premium-quality biofuels. This approach not only promotes carbon neutrality and reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also establishes strategic partnerships with clients and suppliers. 

Exploring the prospects of used engine oil recycling

Yasir bin Taiyab provided insights into the processes, byproducts, challenges, and regulatory aspects associated with the industry. The conversation touched upon key topics ranging from the process of parallel distillation to regulatory disparities and market dynamics.

“Recycling used engine oil into base oil involves heating the used oil to varying temperatures, causing it to vapourize and condense into distinct components with different viscosities. The lightest component, known as base oil, is separated and purified, making it suitable for reuse in lubrication manufacturing.

He spoke about the impressive recovery rates achieved through this process. “Approximately 60-70 per cent of the base oil is reclaimed from the total oil input. The percentage may vary depending on the feed.” Further, he shed light on the value of byproducts obtained from used oil recycling, which include a material akin to asphalt, used in asphalt manufacturing, as well as a black-coloured substance rich in heavy hydrocarbons.” 

A key concern in the used oil recycling industry is the environmental impact, particularly the emission of volatile organic compounds. To address this, various pollution control mechanisms are implemented, including the use of furnaces to burn off these gasses, converting them into carbon dioxide. It is then processed through another filtration system before letting harmless byproducts into the environment, he noted. 

Regulatory landscape and challenges

One of the significant challenges discussed by Taiyab was the lack of clear regulatory guidelines and quality standards for recycled base oil. “This regulatory gap presents obstacles for both industry participants and regulators alike. Disparities in emission requirements across different emirates can lead to competitive disadvantages and, at the same time, environmental concerns,” he pointed out. 

To enhance the efficiency and sustainability of the used oil recycling industry, Taiyab proposed a harmonised approach to regulation and emission control. The need for a consistent policy framework across the Emirates emerges as a critical factor in ensuring fair competition, reducing pollution, and fostering growth in the sector.