Mumbai, 9th September 2026.
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 (MoU) 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 (EPR) 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.