July 12, 2024 - The 3rd Rosefield Conference on Circular Economy in Used Oil was held on June 20, 2024, at the Taj Palace in New Delhi.
This conference, which attracted over 270 participants, emphasised the industry's commitment to sustainability within the framework of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
The event featured six dynamic sessions and over 25 distinguished speakers, providing a comprehensive examination of the future of used oil management.
The conference was honoured to welcome Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat as the Chief Guest, a distinguished figure recognized for his contributions to national security and innovation, and a recipient of the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards.
Dr. SSV Ramakumar, renowned for his leadership in the lubricant industry, served as the Chief Mentor.
The event also featured notable Guests of Honour, including Vinod Babu (CPCB), Sandeep Kalia (Valvoline Cummins), Madan Lal Khandelwal (PRAI), Urmila Bhargava (IFP Petro), Shailendra Gokhale (Rosefield Energy Tech), and international business leaders Spyros Thomas (LPC SA) and Mario Majic (Avista Oil).
The event commenced with a session on policy perspectives, featuring Prabhjot Sodhi (CEE), Vinod Babu (CPCB), Amit Verma (Niti Aayog) And Shailendra Gokhale (Rosefield Energy Tech).
The panel focused on the current and future state of used oil management in India, emphasising the importance of EPR and the need for technological and policy advancements.
Issues such as improper disposal and the informal sector's role in oil collection were discussed.
In the following session, senior management from leading lubricant companies shared their strategies for EPR compliance.
Panellists included Kapil Vyas (SGSPL), Shakti Mishra (HPCL), Vikas Gupta (Nandan Petrochem), Binu Chandy (PETRONAS), and Kailash Sawant (Lubrizol).
They underscored the need for a robust oil collection ecosystem and circular green lubricants, calling for government support and innovative solutions.
A global perspective was provided by Dr. Christos from LPC SA (Greece) and Mario Majic from Avista Oil (Germany), who shared best practices from their countries and discussed their adaptation to the Indian context.
The session on Auto OEMs highlighted their proactive efforts in improving used oil collection and re-refining.
Panellists Prashant Banerjee (SIAM), R. Ramaprabhu (Mahindra & Mahindra), Kedar Gore (Rosefield Energy Tech), and Senthil Kumar (Ashok Leyland) discussed challenges with current regulations and market conditions.
The re-refiners’ role session focused on BIS regulations for Used Motor Oil (UMO) and Recycled, Re-refined Base Oils (RRBO), featuring Sudhir Sachdeva (Siddharth Grease), Gaurav Maheshwari (Shell), Sarvesh Kumar (IOCL), Meenal Passi (BIS), and Philip Mathew (PRAI).
They covered standards, technological advancements, and industry challenges, stressing the need for consistent RRBO quality and government support.
The conference concluded with a session on developing a unified roadmap for the lubricant industry.
Panellists Dr. SSV Ramakumar (IOCL), Sandeep Kalia (Valvoline), Arijit Basu (Veedol), Sanjay Kumar (HPCL), Manish Sharma (RECEIC), Sudhir Kumar (Niti Aayog), and Senthil Kumar (Ashok Leyland) emphasised stakeholder collaboration, technological advancements, and effective logistics.
Key takeaways included improving reverse logistics, OEM support for EPR, and necessary regulatory updates.
A significant highlight of the conference was the launch of Rosefield's "RecykLube" initiative.
This project aims to revolutionise oil collection through advanced technology, ensuring end-to-end used oil collection visibility and monetary transparency.
The initiative received widespread acclaim for its potential to play a pivotal role in EPR compliance and drive the industry toward greater sustainability.
The event saw participation from over 120 companies, including PSUs such as IOCL, HPCL, BPCL and top lubricant manufacturers like Lubrizol Corporation, Castrol, Tide Water Oil, PETRONAS, Exxon Mobil, Shell, and TotalEnergies.
Participating companies also included Auto OEMs like Ashok Leyland, Honda Motocorp, Hyundai Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki India, Tata Motors, and Skoda.
Participants also included local and global re-refiners; and government officials from Niti Aayog, CPCB, and BIS.
This diverse participation underscored the broad interest and commitment across the industry to embrace sustainable practices and innovative solutions.
The conference sessions featured insightful presentations and panel discussions.
Delegates had the opportunity to engage with industry leaders and experts, gaining valuable insights into the latest trends and developments in used oil management.
The discussions emphasised the need for technological and policy advancements to support sustainable practices and the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to achieve common goals. Networking opportunities were abundant throughout the event, leading to the discovery of numerous collaborative ventures.
The event highlighted Rosefield Energy Tech’s commitment to sustainability through the use of eco-friendly materials and practices.
Attendees were provided with glass bottles and glasses instead of plastic ones, and recycled material kit bags. The venue displayed digital standees, and digital Q&A and feedback forms were used to minimise paper waste. Tree planting certificates were issued to felicitate the guests of honour, further emphasising the conference's focus on environmental responsibility.
The 3rd Rosefield Conference on Circular Economy in Used Oil successfully brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and international experts to discuss and devise strategies for a sustainable future.
The discussions and initiatives highlighted during the conference underscored the industry's commitment to embracing a circular economy through innovative solutions and collaborative efforts.
As the industry moves forward into the EPR era, the insights and strategies shared at this conference will play a crucial role in shaping the future of used oil management in India.
Looking ahead, Rosefield is excited to announce the second edition of our Lubricants and Fuels Conference, set to take place on 27th and 28th November 2024 at Nesco Mumbai.
Building on the monumental success of our inaugural event in December 2023, this year’s conference promises to be even more impactful.
With nearly 100% participation from the lubricant industry, base oil and additive industry, a bustling exhibition featuring 35+ exhibition stalls, and 2nd edition of Rosefield Awards, Attendees can look forward to engaging panel sessions, insightful keynote speeches, and ample networking opportunities to forge valuable connections.
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