Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) on Tuesday announced a partnership with commercial vehicle manufacturer Tata Motors to jointly explore opportunities in the used automotive lubricants segment through a pilot project focused on sustainability and circular economy practices.

The initiative seeks to create an organized and traceable ecosystem for the collection, storage, transportation and recycling of used lubricants, which are classified as hazardous waste. The project is also aimed at supporting compliance with India’s evolving Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, which place greater accountability on producers for environmentally responsible waste management.

The collaboration combines the strengths of both companies to address the environmental risks associated with improper disposal of used oil and lubricants. HPCL will lead the aggregation and transportation of used lubricants through authorized collection channels and ensure that the waste is directed to registered recyclers for processing.

Tata Motors, meanwhile, will utilise its wide authorized service network to facilitate structured collection systems and encourage responsible disposal practices across its workshops and service ecosystem.

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“Achieving true circularity in used oil begins with reintegrating re-refined base oil into finished lubricants. Our collaboration with Tata Motors is a significant step towards building a scalable model for used oil circularity and reducing the carbon footprint across operations,” said Ch Srinivas, Executive Director – Lubricants at HPCL.

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The pilot project will initially be rolled out across select states and monitored by a joint committee comprising representatives from both companies. The committee will oversee implementation, assess operational progress and evaluate the potential for scaling up the initiative nationwide.

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“Used automotive lubricant, if not handled responsibly, can cause long-term environmental harm. Addressing this challenge calls for credible partners, clear processes and the ability to operate at scale,” said Vikram Agrawal, Head – Parts and Services at Tata Motors. He added that the partnership could lay the foundation for wider industry adoption of sustainable used-oil management practices.