HPCL and Castrol India partner to develop re-refined base oil ecosystem in India

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Castrol India announced a strategic partnership on January 27, 2026, to jointly explore the development of a re-refined base oil ecosystem in India, aimed at promoting circular economy practices and reducing the environmental footprint of lubricants manufacturing. The collaboration focuses on improving sustainability across the lubricant value chain while supporting India’s energy transition goals.

Under the partnership, HPCL and Castrol India will evaluate opportunities to collect, process, and re-refine used lubricating oil to produce high-quality base oils that can be reused in lubricant production. This initiative is aligned with India’s growing emphasis on resource efficiency, waste reduction, and responsible industrial practices. Both companies stated that the project will also assess the technical feasibility, economic viability, and scalability of re-refining operations across India.

The collaboration brings together HPCL’s refining and fuel infrastructure expertise with Castrol India’s advanced lubricant technology and formulation capabilities. Officials said the initiative aims to establish a structured framework for used oil recovery and re-refining, which remains at a nascent stage in India despite the country being one of the world’s largest lubricant consumers. The partners believe that formalising this ecosystem can significantly reduce dependence on virgin crude-based base oils.

Industry experts note that re-refined base oils can achieve performance standards comparable to conventional base oils, while delivering significant environmental benefits, including lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduced landfill waste, and decreased crude oil consumption. The partnership is expected to also contribute to improved compliance with emerging environmental regulations and extended producer responsibility norms.

HPCL and Castrol India stated that the collaboration is currently in the evaluation and pilot development stage. Further announcements regarding plant investments, technology partnerships, and operational timelines are expected once feasibility studies are completed. The initiative is seen as a major step toward building a sustainable lubricants industry ecosystem in India.