Glide Oil’s re-refinery in Pukekohe, New Zealand, has become the country’s first facility to convert waste oil into reusable base oil, potentially reducing annual carbon emissions by up to 100,000 tonnes, according to independently verified data from Toitū Envirocare.
The facility, located on a site where Glide has handled waste oil since 1984, re-refines about 70% of collected waste oil—primarily base oil that remains viable after additives and contaminants are removed. The remaining 30%, including water and light cuts, is also recovered and repurposed, achieving nearly 100% reuse. Glide executive director Gavin Thomas stated the process provides ‘a real, measurable result’ by re-refining waste oil instead of burning it, which was previously a source of carbon emissions. ‘Taking potentially 100,000 tonnes of carbon out of the picture each year is a significant step,’ he said.
First Re-refining Facility in New Zealand
Glide’s Pukekohe plant, spanning a football-field-sized area, represents a new business model for the company. Previously known as Waste Petroleum Combustion, it now focuses on re-refining, using established feedstock access to justify the transition. The facility’s process involves breaking down used oil into base components and cleaning it to standards comparable to virgin oil, avoiding the energy-intensive refining of crude. “Every litre of re-refined base oil reduces the need for new oil refined from crude,” said Glide’s Knox, noting the shift could also reduce reliance on imported oil.
Environmental Impact and Industry Shifts
The re-refining process ensures that nearly all waste oil is reused, with byproducts like gas oil and “gungy residue” repurposed as energy sources or bituminous materials. While some operators may face higher costs compared to burning waste oil, Knox emphasized that clients recognize the long-term value of recycling. “It’s a straightforward way to know their waste oil is being recycled, not burned,” Thomas said, highlighting benefits for workshops, dealerships, and fleet operators in emissions reporting.
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