New Osilub plant in France boasts highest recycling yield

Veolia Environnement and Total SA inaugurated the Osilub plant at the Gonfreville l’Orcher site in Normandy, France, on April 12.
After construction lasting 20 months, this plant will increase the motor oil treatment capacity in France and more generally in northwestern Europe, to regenerate used oil into high-quality base oils. Investment in the plant was €55 million (US$71.9 million).
The Osilub plant will have a treatment capacity of 120,000 metric tons, which is equivalent to almost 50% of the total volume of used oil generated in France annually. It will have a recycling yield of around 75%, which the company says, is the best rate achieved so far globally.
“Innovating in industrial solutions to transform our waste into new resources is one of the pillars of the new Veolia we are building. Our success will also be that of our clients and partners committed, along with us, to protecting our environment. The virtuous model created jointly with the Total group around Osilub and recycling used oil is a tangible example of an industrial world looking to the future and knowing how to combine economic growth with sustainable development,” said Antoine Frérot, chairman and CEO of Veolia Environnement.
It took several years of research to develop the process used at the Osilub plant: scraped-film vacuum distillation is based on processes used by the fine chemicals industry. It preserves the oil molecules and ensures a high yield. The base oil produced by Osilub will be treated in specific units, including the Normandy refinery, so it can be used in high-grade motor oils that meet the most recent specifications.
This industrial facility meets sustainable development targets compliant with the recycling priorities set by the European Union. It also boosts the presence in this region of Total and Veolia Environnement, two significant contributors to the economic and industrial fabric of the Normandy region.