Vertex Energy Inc. has started production of a new high-viscosity Group III re-refined base oil (RRBO) at subsidiary Vertex Refining Alabama LLC’s 75,000-b/d refining and petrochemical complex in Mobile, Ala.
Following first commercial production of its VTX-R4 RRBO at the Mobile refinery in November 2025, Vertex is now producing VTX-R6—a higher-viscosity 6 centistoke (cSt) Group III RRBO—to provide lubricant manufacturers an option that supports thicker finished-lubricant formulations for applications requiring greater film thickness and durability, the operator confirmed on Feb. 18.
Commonly used in applications including heavy-duty engine oils, passenger car motor oils, and select gear, transmission, compressor, and hydraulic oils, addition of the 6-cSt viscosity RRBO grade specifically comes as part of Vertex’s program of expanding its portfolio to provide customers increased flexibility to optimize formulations across a broader range of finished lubricant viscosity grades, the company said.
Produced at the Mobile refinery from used motor oil collected through Vertex’s integrated network, VTX-R4 and R6 base oil grades are aimed at providing blenders and manufacturers reliable and readily available US-produced alternatives to imported Group III base oils, according to the operator.
Vertex did not reveal the Mobile refinery’s current rates of production for either VTX-R4 or R6.