New Zealand-based waste oil collection company Glide Oil has officially inaugurated its new waste oil re-refining facility in Pukekohe, south of Auckland. The plant is designed to transform used lubricating oils into reusable base oils, helping reduce industrial waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
New Zealand has taken a significant step towards more sustainable waste management with the official opening of Glide Oil’s new re-refining facility on Subway Road in Pukekohe. The inauguration, held in October 2026, was attended by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
The facility represents a major development for the country’s waste oil management sector. Rather than sending collected used oils for industrial fuel applications, the plant uses an advanced re-refining process to recover valuable base oils that can be used in the production of new lubricants.
Advancing the Circular Economy
Glide Oil’s process involves separating used lubricating oils from water, solid residues, fuels and other contaminants accumulated during use. The recovered oil is then purified to produce high-quality base oil suitable for reuse in lubricant manufacturing.
According to the company, its technology can recover up to 99% of the base oil contained in used lubricants. Other components can also be recovered and directed towards appropriate industrial applications.
By returning used oils to the production cycle, the facility aims to reduce reliance on virgin base oils derived from crude oil and limit the environmental impact associated with the disposal and combustion of waste lubricants.
Significant Potential for Emissions Reduction
Beyond waste recovery, the project offers substantial environmental benefits. Glide Oil estimates that the facility could prevent up to 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. This estimate has been independently assessed by Toitū Envirocare.
The company also reports that its re-refined base oil has a carbon footprint at least 50% lower than that of conventional virgin base oil produced from crude oil.
These environmental gains are supported by Glide Oil’s nationwide collection network, which sources used lubricants from automotive workshops, vehicle dealerships and fleet operators.
Transforming New Zealand’s Waste Oil Industry
Established in Pukekohe in 1984, Glide Oil, formerly known as Waste Petroleum Combustion (WPC), has progressively shifted its focus towards more sustainable waste oil management practices. The new facility marks an important transition from using collected waste oil primarily as an industrial fuel to recovering and reusing its valuable components.
The opening follows a period of technical commissioning, during which the company addressed operational challenges, including odour issues reported during the early stages of operation.
With this investment, Glide Oil aims to demonstrate that used lubricants can be treated as a valuable industrial resource rather than simply as waste. The project could strengthen New Zealand’s circular economy by reducing waste, lowering emissions and improving the recovery of valuable raw materials.
Ultimately, the facility represents an important development in the country’s efforts to promote resource efficiency and more sustainable industrial practices.
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