Nynas Starts Partnership to Recycle Transformer Oil

By Simon Johns - Jan 15, 2024

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Swedish lubricant maker Nynas formed a partnership with a leading recycler Stena Recycling to make transformer oils part of the circular economy.

Research firm Markets and Markets predicts demand for transformer oil will increase to U.S.$3.3 billion by 2030. Wider adoption of smart grid infrastructure, greenhouse gas reduction and stricter energy efficiency legislation, will drive this growth especially in Europe.

There are more than 100 collection centres and a number of storage depots for transformer oil in Northern Europe. Stena Recycling has a collection network throughout the continent.

Stena will supply Nynas with used mineral insulating oils from these transformers. Nynas will then process this oil into new transformer fluids.

Nynas uses a catalytic hydrogenation technology to repurpose mineral oils from decommissioned transformers, which power generators would otherwise incinerate. This cuts more than 70% of greenhouse gas emissions compared with virgin oil throughout its lifecycle, the company said.

Nynas produces a range of transformer oil products, including Nitro RR 900X made from rerefined material. This product aligns with the stringent IEC 60296 edition 5 (2020) specifications and ensures all feedstock is sourced from power equipment.

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