Universal Lubricants launched an engine oil line designed for compressed natural gas vehicles.

Fleet operators can choose from Orion, a traditional lubricant produced from virgin base oil, or Eco Ultra CNG, which consists of up to 83% re-refined material. Both Orion and Eco Ultra CNG are low ash and are included in the company's proprietary "closed-loop" system.

The product line has been formulated to provide deposit, wear, oil oxidation and oil nitration control in the typically turbocharged engines fueled by natural gas. Low in phosphorous, the Eco Ultra line is available in SAE 30, 40 and 15W40.

"It's sometimes easy to forget that there's still a petroleum-based product in CNG engines, so lubricants often slip from sustainability and budget conversations," says Peter Fox, vice president of marketing and sales. "But engine oil represents a critical piece of the puzzle for fleet operators. Both Orion and Eco Ultra offer notable economic advantages and the security of a reliable vendor that -- with our closed loop refining system -- not only supplies the product, but collects it, too."

Each year, the U.S. produces approximately 1.3 billion gallons of used engine oils, only 10% of which is re-refined. The rest is either improperly disposed of (damaging the environment) or burned as an industrial fuel, wasting limited petroleum reserves and perpetuating the need to import foreign oil, according to the company.