A Different Category of Sourcing Entirely
Used cooking oil (UCO) occupies a fundamentally different sourcing category than virgin oils — it’s a recovered waste stream repurposed as feedstock, primarily for biodiesel production, rather than a product with a standard quality-grade hierarchy from the outset.
Quality Variables That Matter
Free fatty acid content, water and sediment levels, and the presence of contaminants all affect UCO’s suitability and value as biodiesel feedstock. These parameters vary significantly depending on collection source, filtering practices, and storage conditions before it reaches a buyer.
Fraud Is a Documented Industry Risk
The UCO supply chain has documented cases of fraud, including virgin oil being misrepresented as used oil (to claim certain regulatory incentives) or UCO from unverified or non-compliant collection sources. This makes supply chain traceability a genuine due-diligence priority, not a formality.
Regulatory and Certification Considerations
Depending on your market and end use, UCO sourcing may need to meet specific sustainability certification requirements (relevant to renewable fuel incentive programs) that go beyond simple quality specifications.
Sourcing Checklist
- Request documentation on collection source and chain of custody
- Confirm FFA, water and sediment specifications for the batch
- Ask about relevant sustainability certifications if required for your regulatory context
- Consider supplier audits or verification for significant volume commitments
Contact our team for current used cooking oil availability, specifications and bulk pricing.
