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Source: KEPC
This changed in 2019 when ExxonMobil introduced Group II and in particular Group II+ production at its Rotterdam Netherlands facility as the latter can be used as a complimentary base stock for the formulation of low SAE 5W-XX grade engine oils. The changes in the overall quality of base stocks required for the European PCMO market can be estimated by taking the SAE profiles and determining an average blended base oil quality through formulation sciences and typical recipes. The result can be shown in Table 1.
Figure 2: PCEO demand by SAE grade - 1995 to 2020
terms of Viscosity Index (VI). Higher VI base oils are typically produced from hydroprocessing and have an absence of sulphur combined with an elevated level of stable saturated components, or paraffins. It is also noted that the average base oil kinematic viscosity has significantly declined, consistent with the shift lower SAE 0W-XX and SAE 5W-XX viscosity grades. This is the primary reason for the high demand in 4 cSt and 5 cSt (at 100°C) Group III and Group III+ base stocks in Europe, and an associated albeit reduced demand for heavier grades like 6 cSt or 8 cSt (at 100°C) that are primarily used as correction fluids to balance high and low temperature viscosity, and volatility properties for synthetic and semi-synthetic products.
Table 1: PCEO demand by SAE grade - 1995 to 2020
It is apparent that the quality of base oils used for the European PCEO industry has continued to improve in
10 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.180 APRIL 2024
The other important observation is the continuing improvement with the quality of used engine oil that is now available to regional re-refiners. With the continuing improvements to VI and saturates content with a corresponding reduction in sulphur, the industry now has the capability to produce both Group II and Group III re-refined base stock qualities by leveraging the increasing used oil feedstock quality.
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