Guide · Used cooking oil
UCO quality parameters,explained.
Used cooking oil is bought and sold on its lab report. A few parameters decide which biofuel process the oil suits, how much usable product each tonne yields, and what pretreatment the refinery needs.
The core parameters
What the lab report shows.
| Parameter | What it measures | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| FFA (free fatty acids) | Acidity of the oil | Higher FFA needs extra pretreatment for biodiesel |
| MIU (moisture, impurities, unsaponifiables) | Water and material that is not oil | Lowers the usable content of every tonne |
| Iodine value | Degree of unsaturation | Affects fuel stability and specification |
| Sulphur | Sulphur content | Limits for renewable diesel and HVO feedstock |
| Phosphorus and chlorine | Contaminants from food processing | Catalyst poisons in HVO plants |
| Polyethylene and metals | Plastic residue and metal traces | Refinery pretreatment requirements |
Documents
Traceability matters as much as quality.
| Document | What it shows | When it is needed |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of analysis | Measured values of the lot | Every shipment |
| Independent inspection report | Sampling, analysis and quantity at loading | Most international contracts |
| ISCC EU or ISCC PLUS certificate | Certified chain of custody | Biofuels counted toward sustainability targets |
| Proof of sustainability | Origin and sustainability data for the lot | With certified shipments |
| Collection records | Where and when the oil was collected | Audits and traceability checks |
Your checklist
What to put inyour specification.
- 01End use: biodiesel (FAME), HVO or other
- 02Limits for FFA, MIU and iodine value
- 03Limits for sulphur, phosphorus, chlorine and other contaminants
- 04Certification required: ISCC EU, ISCC PLUS or none
- 05Packing: flexitank, ISO tank or bulk
- 06Inspection at loading, and who appoints the inspector
Please note
Typical parameters only.
This guide explains parameters commonly used in international trade, for orientation. It is not a specification, an offer or a statement of available goods. Every deal sets its own specification in the written contract.
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