Rosefield Blogs

What if India's used oil problem today looks exactly like Europe's in 1975 — and the only real question is how many decades we're willing to spend finding our way to the answer they already found?

India is undergoing a fundamental shift in the way it manages hazardous waste streams—and used oil sits at the center of this transition. With the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations for used oil, the country is moving away from fragmented, informal practices toward a structured, compliance-driven circular economy.

For decades, the lubricant industry has focused on what happens before the oil is sold—product innovation, distribution networks, and market share.

Today, the real challenge begins after the oil is used.

With the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, lubricant producers are now responsible not just for selling oil, but for ensuring that the used oil generated after consumption is collected and recycled responsibly.

It is a question not very different from asking whether recycled steel can build a skyscraper as safely as newly smelted metal. In most advanced industries, the answer is technical, measurable and commercial. The lubricants sector in India now faces a similar inflection point. As policy momentum builds and sustainability pressures intensify, re-refined base oil (RRBO) is moving from the margins of the market toward its core. The real debate is no longer about environmental intent. It is about performance parity, supply security and market confidence. Can RRBO meaningfully bridge the gap with virgin base oil in India’s rapidly evolving lubricant ecosystem?

Used oil recycling is widely recognised for its ability to recover valuable base oil through re-refining. However, what often goes unnoticed is the significant volume of residues generated during this process—and the untapped opportunity they represent.

India’s lubricants industry—one of the largest in the world—is at an inflection point. With rising environmental awareness, stricter regulations, and increasing pressure on industries to decarbonise, bio-based lubricants are slowly but steadily moving from niche applications to mainstream discussions. While mineral and synthetic oils still dominate volumes, the direction of travel is clearly greener.

India’s data center industry is entering a decisive phase of growth. Accelerated adoption of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital public infrastructure is driving unprecedented demand for compute capacity. By 2026, the sector stands at the intersection of rapid expansion, rising energy consumption, and sustainability imperatives—forcing operators to rethink power and cooling strategies.

What if the true engine of the electric vehicle revolution wasn’t the battery but the invisible fluid working silently within it? As electric mobility reshapes the future of transportation, attention is increasingly shifting from motors and software to the systems that quietly enable them to perform. Among these, Electrified Transmission Fluid (ETF) plays a pivotal yet often overlooked role, redefining efficiency, reliability, and long-term durability. As India’s EV market gains momentum and global innovation accelerates, ETF emerges at the intersection of materials science, electrification, and next-generation mobility quietly powering the shift toward a cleaner, smarter automotive future.

India produces over 1.3 million tonnes of used lubricating oil annually, making re-refining a vital part of the country’s environmental and industrial ecosystem. With the rise of EPR regulations, sustainability targets, and the demand for high-quality lubricants, India is rapidly transitioning to modern re-refining technologies. The most advanced among them is the integrated system of Advanced Vacuum Distillation and Hydrotreating.

What keeps a renewable-powered city awake at night? Imagine if every time a cloud passed over a solar farm or the wind stilled for a few minutes, the lights in our homes flickered or went out. The global share of renewables in power generation is steadily climbing, but so are the challenges of grid stability. Renewable energy, while abundant and clean, arrives according to nature’s rhythm rather than human demand. This mismatch between supply and demand leads to curtailment, which means wasting renewable power, sudden frequency fluctuations, and a higher risk of blackouts.

What happens when you add a new flavour to a familiar recipe, one that makes it healthier yet keeps its essence intact? Switching India’s fuel to E20 is a bit like blending tradition with innovation.
India’s transport sector is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, with nearly 85 percent of crude oil being imported to meet domestic demand. This creates significant economic vulnerability and adds to the country’s carbon emissions.

Imagine a world where your car engine, a steel plant conveyor, or a wind turbine gearbox could repair its own wear while running—just like human skin heals a cut. This is no longer just science fiction. Researchers are developing self-healing lubricants, powered by nano-additives, that can detect surface damage, repair it at the microscopic level, and extend machine life dramatically.

India’s relationship with pigments is ancient and colorful. From natural indigo dye in the Indus Valley Civilization to vivid reds made from madder roots, Indian artisans mastered the art of extracting and mixing natural colors centuries ago. Temples, textiles, and miniature paintings still echo this legacy, proving that sustainable color isn’t a new idea—but something we’re rediscovering in modern ways.

Synthetic fuels, also known as synfuels, are liquid fuels made from non-petroleum feedstocks like biomass, coal, methane, syngas (a mixture of CO and H₂), or even collected CO₂ by procedures like hydrogenation, methanol synthesis, and Fischer–Tropsch. They can simulate conventional gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel and are essential for decarbonizing industries that are difficult to electrify, such as shipping and aviation.

India's aviation sector is rapidly expanding, ranking as the world's third-largest market. This growth, however, comes with a significant environmental cost, as aviation, if considered a country, would be among the top 10 greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting nations globally. GHG emissions from India's aviation sector significantly increased between 2005 and 2018, with projections indicating a substantial surge by 2050. Decarbonizing this sector is crucial for India to achieve its 2070 net-zero target.

India’s expansive agricultural sector produces not just food, but also a substantial amount of organic residue—crop stalks, bagasse, cattle dung, urban waste—making biomass a uniquely local and sustainable energy resource. As the nation moves toward its goal of 500 GW of non‑fossil capacity by 2030 and aims for net zero by 2070, biomass energy is gaining prominence. In April 2025, India’s installed biomass capacity reached 11.58 GW, a blend of bagasse cogeneration, agricultural‑residue plants, and waste‑to‑energy systems . This sector continues to grow through a combination of technology improvements, supportive policy, and social benefits.

The automotive world is undergoing a thrilling transformation, driven by the quest for cleaner and more sustainable energy. As we embrace alternative fuels like ethanol, compressed natural gas (CNG), and hydrogen, engine oil is not just adapting; it is evolving into a sophisticated partner that enhances engine performance and longevity in this new era. This journey is about innovation, pushing the boundaries of lubrication science to support a greener future.

The Indian automotive industry is undergoing a transformative shift, and electric vehicles (EVs) are at the forefront of this evolution. While much of the focus remains on the electrification of transport, there is a parallel and equally significant impact unfolding in the lubricants market. As EVs steadily replace internal combustion engine (ICE)vehicles, the demand for traditional engine oils is poised for disruption.

India generates over 1.3 million tones of used lubricating oil annually, with less than 15% formally recycled. Most is mismanaged, posing environmental and health risks. The EPR framework, effective April 1, 2024, is a key step toward sustainable waste management.

The Government is actively building policies which can push natural gas share in India’s energy mix from current 5-7% to massive 15%.

As of 2024, India’s nuclear power generation capacity stands at 8,180 MW, marking significant progress from 4,780 MW in 2014.

There has been a consistent fall in battery prices over the past year and that can be attributed to increased production capacity & competition, high demand, technology upgradation and fall in prices of raw materials.

Indian Railways has set a target of becoming a Net Zero Carbon Emitter by 2030. This requires IR to put forward efforts in conserving energy on both fronts—on-track and off-track.

Discover how AI semiconductors are revolutionizing the automotive industry! From powering EVs and enabling autonomous driving to enhancing connectivity and efficiency, these advanced chips are transforming vehicles into intelligent machines. Explore the challenges, opportunities, and innovations shaping the future of mobility.

The Indian Government announced the world's first-of-its-kind Green Steel Taxonomy on December 12, 2024, paving the way for incentivizing the Indian steel industry to put more effort towards moving away from carbon-intensive processes currently used by most players.

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Traditional mineral oils, derived from crude oil, have long been the backbone of automotive lubrication. However, they have limitations, especially as engines become more advanced and regulations tighten around emissions and efficiency.

India’s focus on policy level & ambitions for biofuels underlines this growing trend. The country has significant incentives such as improving self reliance, inching closer to its environmental commitments and boosting income of the sector which employs a significant portion of its population to pursue its biofuels targets.

Implemented in April 2020, the BS6 emission norms marked one of the most significant transitions in India’s vehicular regulation history, with Phase 2 now in effect since April 2023. These norms not only align India with the world’s best standards but also underline the country’s commitment to cleaner air, safer roads, and a greener future.

Increasing green hydrogen production could make India self-reliant regarding energy and harness its true potential

Solid-state batteries are now emerging as the solution to these challenges, promising safer, faster, and more efficient energy storage solutions. India, with its growing ambitions for electric mobility and renewable energy, is well-positioned to harness this potential.

Currently, there are more than 8,000 data centers worldwide, with about 40% in the USA, 16% in Europe, and close to 10% in China. They have huge operational costs and a critical maintenance schedule to minimize downtime. This provides opportunity for lubricant companies.

Just as in every application on planet earth, lubricants play a critical role in space exploration missions.

India's two-wheeler segment has been undergoing a transformation with the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs), CNG, and flex-fuel vehicles.

How Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are now revolutionizing the way supply chains are managed?

Global trade reached its true potential with the dawn of aviation which connected businesses , people and cultures across the globe. But, behind the curtain there was also the rise of another problem- high greenhouse gasses emission. The aviation greenhouse gasses emission share now stands around 2-2.5% of total and it is now  four times than that of 1966 levels

The announcement by OLA on August 15 about its 4680 battery called Bharat Cell must have raised your eyebrows. The idea first put forward by Elon Musk in 2020 challenged existing 2170 design and promised huge improvements in cell design.

The industrial lubricants market in India is undergoing a significant transformation as the country intensifies its focus on environmental sustainability and renewable lubricants. With an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.0% from 2023 to 2033, the sector is poised for steady growth.

The electric vehicle (EV) industry is at a critical juncture globally, driven by the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. India, with its ambitious goals to curb carbon emissions and promote clean energy, is poised to lead this transformation. The government's push for electric mobility and technological advancements is fostering a significant shift towards sustainable practices in EV manufacturing. This article examines the future perspectives of sustainable practices in EV manufacturing in India, exploring potential advancements, challenges, and opportunities.

Today when environmental concerns are taking center stage, industries are experiencing a profound shift, particularly evident in the packaging sector. This change is being propelled by the ethos of the circular economy, ushering in a new era of sustainability and innovation.

In the rapidly evolving industrial landscape, concerns over the depletion of petroleum reserves escalate, industries are increasingly turning towards innovative solutions. One such solution is the adoption of biodegradable lubricants.

In the modern world, our economy operates predominantly on a linear model, where resources are extracted, used to create products, and then discarded as waste. This linear economy has long been the cornerstone of industrialization and economic growth. However, beneath its facade of efficiency lies a series of flaws that are becoming increasingly apparent in our resource-constrained world.

Gone are the days of the linear "take-make-dispose" model, instead we embrace a new ethos prioritizing resource efficiency, waste reduction, and long-term sustainability. But what does this mean for consumers? How can they be champions of change in this transformative journey? Join us as we dive into strategies and best practices empowering consumers to shape a circular future.

In recent years, the global conversation around sustainability has gained significant traction, urging individuals and industries alike to rethink their consumption patterns and waste management strategies. In India, a country known for its rich cultural heritage and rapid economic growth, the mindset of consumers towards embracing a circular economy model has been evolving, albeit with its unique set of challenges and opportunities, especially concerning used motor oil and plastics.

In our modern lives, plastic has seamlessly become a part of everyday items, offering convenience but at a steep environmental cost. The massive volume of plastic waste generated annually poses a formidable threat, taking centuries to break down and causing widespread pollution. Despite these concerns, a ray of hope emerges – bioplastics, a potentially more sustainable alternative poised to shape a brighter future.

High-quality lubricants may entail a higher upfront cost, the long-term benefits manifest in enhanced overall equipment efficiency and a reduction in the total cost of ownership. Pledging allegiance to the transition to high-performance synthetic lubricants not only ensures sustainable industrial practices but also contributes to less energy consumption, reduced CO2 emissions, and decreased oil disposal frequency.

In a recent development, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has introduced the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022, outlining crucial guidelines for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) concerning plastic packaging.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Second Amendment Rules, 2023, with a focus on extended producer responsibility (EPR) for Used Oil.

As we look towards building a sustainable future for India's logistics industry, it is crucial to address the pressing issue of carbon emissions.

Spent Oil constitutes 45% of the recyclable waste among hazardous materials. Within this category, Used Oil accounts for 47%, while Waste Oil represents 53%. To align with Green Principles and foster a fully Circular Economy, the environmentally friendly approach involves re-refining Used Oil, transforming it into lubricant base stock, and further processing it into fuels and other products derived from petroleum.

Each year, India generates 3.4 million tons of plastic waste, with only 30 percent of it being recycled. The report emphasizes that a significant amount of plastic waste is either deposited in landfills or released into water bodies.