The pilot programme will establish a structured and traceable ecosystem for the collection, channelisation and recycling of used engine oil from Tata Motors’ authorised service network in Karnataka, supporting India’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework and circular economy objectives.
Vikram Agrawal, Head-Spares and Non-Vehicle Business, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles; and
Anand Jha, Head – Allied Business, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, at the MoU signing ceremony in Mumbai
Tata Motors, India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, and Castrol India Limited, a market leader in advanced automotive and industrial lubricant technology, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly launch a pilot programme aimed at creating a structured ecosystem for used oil circularity.
The collaboration seeks to establish a traceable model for the responsible collection, storage, channelisation and recycling of used engine oil, supporting India’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework while advancing circular economy goals across the automotive lubricant value chain.
As part of the initiative, the two companies will implement a structured system for collecting and managing used engine oil from Tata Motors’ authorised sales and service network in Karnataka. The pilot addresses a long-standing challenge in the responsible handling of used engine oil, which is classified as hazardous waste.
Speaking on the development, Vikram Agrawal, Head – Spares and Non-Vehicle Business, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, said: “Responsible used-oil management is central to building a truly circular automotive ecosystem in India. The volume of used engine oil generated across India’s roads each year makes responsible collection and recycling a matter of significant environmental consequence. By partnering with Castrol India, we are creating a credible, scalable model that links responsible collection at our service touchpoints to high-quality re-refined output. This is a meaningful step in Tata Motors’ broader sustainability journey.”
Anoop Jindal, Vice President – B2B (OEM) Sales, Castrol India Limited, said: “Creating a circular economy for lubricants requires collaboration across the entire value chain. This association with Tata Motors marks our first OEM collaboration focused on building a structured ecosystem for responsible used-oil management in India. We are working to strengthen every link in the circularity chain, from collection and channelisation to recycling and reuse. Insights from our used-oil collection pilots in southern India have deepened our understanding of both the opportunities and challenges involved in scaling circularity. Together with Tata Motors’ extensive service network, this initiative can help create a more organised, traceable and scalable model for used-oil circularity in India.”
Under the pilot programme, Tata Motors’ authorised sales and service outlets in Karnataka will serve as designated collection points for used engine oil. Castrol India will oversee the channelisation of the collected oil to registered recyclers, leveraging its lubricant expertise and learnings from existing pilot projects to ensure quality, traceability and compliance throughout the recycling process.
The MoU builds on the long-standing relationship between Tata Motors and Castrol India, reflecting the companies’ shared commitment to advancing sustainability through innovation and collaboration. The initiative complements Tata Motors’ broader sustainability strategy, which includes electric vehicles, CNG platforms and energy-efficient mobility solutions, while aligning with Castrol India’s efforts to incorporate recycled materials into high-performance lubricant products.