Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) and Tata Motors have inked an MoU to test a model for sustainable collection and recycling of automotive used lubricants. The objective is to establish a framework for the management of hazardous used lubricants from collection to re-refining to produce premium quality base oil. It is expected to result in increased efficiency, decreased environmental hazards, and adherence to India’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) guidelines.
Establishing a circular used oil ecosystem:
Ch. Srinivas, Executive Director – Lubes, HPCL, said, “To bring in a true circular ecosystem around used oil, it is imperative to reuse and integrate re-refined base oil back in finished oils. Our partnership with Tata Motors is one such example.”
Improving responsible disposal processes:
Quoting Vikram Agrawal, Head – Parts and Services, Tata Motors Ltd., “The problem associated with the used automotive lubricant, when not disposed of responsibly, can have detrimental effects on the environment in the long run. Meeting this challenge requires credible partners, efficient processes and scalability. HPCL has been a credible partner of Tata Motors in many respects, and this partnership makes possible a step towards a more organised and responsible recycling process. This pilot will help set a strong base for future expansion.”
Systematic collection through service networks:
Through this partnership, HPCL shall take care of the collection and transportation of the used lubricants to recyclers, whereas Tata Motors will leverage its service networks to make the collection systematic. Joint efforts in the pilot will be undertaken by both companies under a joint committee. Commercial vehicle service initiatives of Tata Motors include the Sampoorna Seva 2.0 scheme which is a holistic approach and offers end-to-end solutions such as maintenance contracts and connected fleet management system called Fleet Edge, helping in fleet optimization. Tata Motors has more than 4,500 service centers in India.
