Bengaluru, Sep 09: PETRONAS Lubricants India, part of the PETRONAS group and a trusted name in advanced automotive and industrial lubricant technology, and Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the responsible collection and recycling of used automotive lubricants. The two companies will pilot a structured and scalable model simultaneously across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. The collaboration brings together the complementary strengths of two industry leaders to address a critical sustainability challenge. It also supports compliance with India’s evolving Extended Producer Responsibility framework and advances the country’s circular economy ambitions.
“Achieving true circularity in used oil begins when re-refined base oil is reintegrated into finished lubricants. Our collaboration with Tata Motors marks an important step toward building a scalable model for used oil circularity and reflects the strength of our channel network as we work to significantly reduce our carbon footprint across operations,” said Mr. Binu Chandy, India MD, PETRONAS Lubricants India, launching the pilot project.
“At Tata Motors, practices and partnerships promoting sustainability are integral to advancing circular economy principles and creating meaningful environmental impact across the automotive value chain. Through our collaboration with PETRONAS Lubricants India, we are taking a significant step towards establishing a structured framework for the collection, recovery, and recycling of used automotive lubricants. This pilot initiative aligns closely with our commitment to responsible resource stewardship and supports India’s broader sustainability ambitions. By bringing together the complementary strengths and expertise of our two organisations, we aim to assess the viability of a scalable used-oil recycling model that can drive long-term value and contribute to industry-wide progress.” said Mr. Vikram Agrawal, Head – Spares and Non-Vehicle Business, Tata Motors Ltd.
The initiative will establish an organised and traceable system for managing used lubricants classified as hazardous waste – from collection and storage through to recycling, where the used oil can be converted into high-quality re-refined base oil. PETRONAS Lubricants India will pilot the aggregation and movement of used lubricants through authorised and specialised collection mechanisms, ensuring their channelisation to genuine, registered recyclers, while Tata Motors will leverage its extensive authorised service network to enable structured collection and promote responsible disposal across its ecosystem. By improving resource efficiency and reducing environmental risk, the pilot seeks to strengthen benchmarks for responsible waste management and support India’s broader transition towards a circular, resource-efficient economy.
