Puralube is investing 40 million to build a third rerefinery at its Zeitz Chemical and Industrial Park in Troeglitz, Germany, bringing its API Group II+ base oil capacity to about 150,000 metric tons in late 2014.
Christian Hartmann, a managing director with Puralube, confirmed the investment cost to Lube Report. We plan to start production in fall 2014, Hartmann stated.
He said the third rerefinery, like the two existing ones, will have 50,000 metric tons per year Group II+ base oil production capacity. The third plant will process 80,000 tons per year of used oil, increasing the total processing capacity to 240,000 metric tons per year. The figures represent real capacity estimates, rather than nameplate numbers, he clarified.
According to a German Federal State Saxony-Anhalt news release on the investment, the third rerefinery will add 50 additional jobs.
Puralube started its first rerefinery in Zeitz in 2004. It was the worlds first rerefinery to operate based on patented HyLube catalytic processing technology. The technology was developed by Des Plaines, Ill.-based UOP, a Honeywell company. Puralube acquired exclusive rights to the technology in 1995.
Puralube opened its second rererefinery in Zeitz in late 2008.
Frankfurt, Germany-based Puralube GmbH is a subsidiary of Puralube Inc. in Wayne, Pa.