White (mineral) oil is highly refined petroleum oil — water-white, odourless, tasteless, biologically inert — used in pharmaceutical excipient (laxative, drug formulation), cosmetic (baby oil, cream), food-contact incidental (NSF H1 industrial lubricant), and technical / industrial (plastic / textile additive, capacitor oil). India market ~250-350 ML/year. This guide covers USP/BP/EP specifications, the modern hydrogenation manufacturing route, and Indian sourcing from Savita Oil, Raj Petro, Apar.
| Component | Function | % (m/m) | Indian Supplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| White oil USP-grade KV40 220 cSt heavy | Primary food-grade base oil | 90.0% | Savita Oil / Raj Petro / Apar Industries |
| Amine phosphate AW (food-grade) | Anti-wear (NSF H1 approved chemistry) | 1.5% | BASF Irgalube TPPT (food-grade variant) |
| Sulphurised triglyceride EP (food-grade) | Extreme pressure (food-grade) | 6.0% | Specialty food-grade S additive |
| BHT (food-grade phenolic AO) | Oxidation inhibitor | 1.0% | Food-grade BHT suppliers |
| Naphthalene-based CI (food-grade) | Corrosion inhibition | 0.5% | NSF H1 white-list CI suppliers |
| Food-grade VII (PMA from food-approved monomer) | VI improver | 1.0% | Specialty food-grade PMA |
| TOTAL | 100.0% | — | |
| CRITICAL: ALL components must be on NSF H1 / FDA 21 CFR 178.3570 white-list for incidental food contact | |||
Process: blend white oil + a food-grade additive package at 60 °C in dedicated food-grade blender (no cross-contamination with non-food-grade oil); QC via our ASTM lubricant & grease testing lab: KV40 220 cSt, ash <0.05% (food-grade target), all components on FDA 21 CFR / NSF H1 white-list. Register finished oil with NSF International for H1 certification (~$5,000-15,000 USD registration + 1-2 month process). Ex-works cost ₹380-540 / L for ISO VG 220 NSF H1 gear oil. Premium pricing vs equivalent industrial gear oil at ₹160-220 / L — food-grade premium ~2x.
| Grade | UV 260-360 Limit | Application | Indian Price ₹/L |
|---|---|---|---|
| USP (pharmaceutical) | <0.10 / cm | Laxative, drug excipient, baby oil pharma | 160-280 |
| BP (British Pharmacopoeia) | <0.10 / cm | Equivalent to USP, EU market | 160-280 |
| EP (European Pharmacopoeia) | <0.10 / cm | Equivalent to USP, EU market | 160-280 |
| Cosmetic grade | <0.20 / cm | Baby oil, cream, lotion, hair oil | 140-220 |
| Food-contact (NSF H1 base) | <0.10 / cm | Food machine lubricant base oil | 180-320 |
| Technical / industrial | <0.50 / cm | Textile / plastic processing aid, mould release | 100-160 |
| Capacitor / transformer impregnation | <0.20 / cm + low ionic | Power capacitor, oil-impregnated paper | 180-280 |
White (mineral) oil is highly refined petroleum oil with virtually all aromatic, sulphur and nitrogen compounds removed — water-white in colour, odourless, tasteless, biologically inert. Refined by severe hydrogenation (modern method) or sulphuric acid treatment (older method).
Three grade classes: pharmaceutical / USP / BP / EP (strictest, used in laxatives, baby oil, drug excipient), cosmetic, technical / industrial. India market driven by pharmaceutical and cosmetic demand.
USP white oil specs: (1) Solid paraffin absent. (2) Acidity / alkalinity neutral. (3) Sulphur compounds absent (lead acetate test). (4) PAH absent (UV absorbance 260-360 nm <0.10 / cm — DEFINING TEST). (5) Readily carbonisable substances absent. (6) Heavy metals < specified. KV at 40 / 100 °C defines grade: light USP (KV40 28-35 cSt), heavy USP (KV40 65-80 cSt).
The 260-360 nm UV absorbance test is the toughest hurdle — distinguishes USP from cosmetic / technical grades. BP and EP similar with minor differences.
Two routes: (1) MODERN — severe hydrogenation. Group I base oil hydrogenated at 200-350 bar H2, 250-350 °C over Ni-Mo or Pt catalyst. Aromatic rings saturated; sulphur and nitrogen removed. Capital-intensive (₹150-400 crore) — only IOCL, HPCL, Reliance, Apar, Savita have white-oil hydrogenation in India.
(2) LEGACY — sulphuric acid + clay treatment. Group I + conc. H2SO4 + neutralisation + clay bleaching. Lower-capital but large waste stream; declining route. India still has some H2SO4-process white oil at lower-quality end.
India white oil ~250-350 ML/year. Pharmaceutical (Sun Pharma, Cipla, Dr Reddy's, Lupin, Aurobindo) ₹160-280 / L USP. Cosmetic (J&J, Himalaya, Patanjali, Dabur, Marico) ₹140-220 / L. Food NSF H1 ₹180-320 / L. Textile / plastic additive ₹100-160 / L technical.
Indian manufacturers: Savita Oil Technologies (Mumbai, ~40%), Raj Petro Specialities (Chennai), Apar Industries (Gujarat), Tide Water Veedol, Panama Petrochem. Lubechem custom blending and re-packaging from these sources.
Pure USP white oil is the refined base oil itself — no additives. For specific applications white oil is blended with food-grade additives: (1) NSF H1 industrial gear oil — white oil 90% + amine phosphate AW + sulphurised triglyceride EP + food-grade AO + CI. ₹380-540 / L.
(2) Pharmaceutical drug excipient — pure USP, no additives. (3) Cosmetic baby oil — white oil 96% + fragrance + vitamin E + chamomile / aloe + dye. (4) Capacitor oil — pure white oil with strict water and ionic content limits.
USP white oil meets pharmaceutical purity. NSF H1 white oil is REGISTERED with NSF International for incidental food contact lubricant — typically uses USP-grade base + food-grade additives. NSF H1 registration is application-based — a specific finished lubricant is registered, not the white oil base alone.
India food machinery: Britannia, ITC, Nestle, Parle, Amul, Mother Dairy increasingly require NSF H1 lubricant in food-contact zone. Premium pricing 20-40% over equivalent industrial.
Share your grade (USP / BP / cosmetic / NSF H1 / technical), KV40 target, volume and pack format. We respond within one business day with sourcing and indicative cost.