4th Rosefield Conference On Circular Economy In Used Oil
Discusses Challenges In Epr ‘From Policy To Practice’ May 26, 2025 | Taj Palace, New Delhi
Valvoline Presents 4th Rosefield Conference on Circular Economy in Used Oil, organized by Rosefield Energy Tech in association with, PRAI, co-organised by HPCL and BPCL with Guiding Partner RECEIC, brought together over 250 key stakeholders from the lubricants, re-refining, and waste oil sectors for a powerful dialogue on the next phase of India’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) implementation. Held at the Taj Palace, New Delhi, the conference embraced the theme “From Policy to Practice,” spotlighting actionable strategies for transitioning EPR mandates into operational systems.
With India’s EPR targets for used oil scaling from 5% in 2024 to 50% by 2031, the event served as a much-needed convergence point for industry and regulators. Opening the conference, Mr. Srinivas CH (Executive Director - Lubes, HPCL ; Chair, Used Oil Working Group, RECEIC) acknowledged the formidable gap between the current 0.1 MMT of EPR certificates and the required 1 MMT by FY2031. Calling the challenge “herculean,” he proposed the formation of a National Used Oil Management Association and announced a dedicated training program for collection agents, jointly developed by RECEIC and Rosefield Energy Tech.
Inaugural addresses by senior leaders, including Dr. S.S.V. Ramakumar (AM Green), Mr. Akhileshwar Jha (Valvoline Cummins), and Mr. Madanlal Khandelwal (PRAI), laid the foundation for deep discussions on logistics, traceability, and the need to mainstream Re-Refined Base Oil (RRBO) within OEM specifications and consumer perception. Shailendra Gokhale, Founder and Director of Rosefield Energy Tech, reflected on the progress made since 2022 when the 1st Conference was held, emphasizing the shift from awareness to accountability and the role of policy, people, and practice.
The session 1, the technical session moderated by Dr. Kalpendra Rajurkar featured industry voices such as Kavita Rai, P. Ramesh, and Philip Mathew. The session highlighted the necessity for traceable collection systems, quality control mechanisms for feedstock, and scalable OEM-driven circularity initiatives. Digitalization and data transparency emerged as vital to building trust in RRBO.
Session 2 by Dr. Y.P. Rao (Former CTO, Gulf Oil International) emphasized the performance benchmarks in India’s new BIS standard IS 18722, encouraging the evolution of Group I-based RRBO toward Group II and III categories to match virgin base oil quality. He flagged India’s
2.5% RRBO re-refining rate, significantly below the 12% global average, and stressed on capacity building and public education on used oil segregation.
In Session 3, industry experts focused on the technological and investment roadmap to scale RRBO production. Infineum India’s Lalit Madan presented data from global field trials proving RRBO’s capability to meet high-performance specs like API SP and CK-4. Darshan Jindal (Balaji Consultants) laid out capital investment estimates ranging from 20–48 crore for re-refining infrastructure upgrades. Discussions revolved around solvent extraction, hydro-treatment, and the policy ecosystem required to attract investment.
A key feature of the conference was the direct interaction with regulator. In session 4, moderated by Shailendra Gokhale, Ms. Deepti Kapil (Additional Director, CPCB) addressed ongoing implementation of the EPR framework, emphasizing recycler registration, EPR certificate generation, and upcoming tools like the Environmental Compensation (EC) Guidelines and EPR Adjustment Module. The transparency and responsiveness of the CPCB dialogue were widely appreciated.
Session 5, moderated by Himakar Sarraju, explored cost dynamics and value chain challenges. Syed Ashfaq Ahmed (KarRecycle) shared insights from India’s first formal used oil collection center and advocated for capped RRBO pricing and better integration of service stations into the EPR regime. Bhaskaran Nagarajan (Rosefield Energy Tech) showcased Used Oil Collection agent such as RecykLube, while Bhavesh Bhambani (IIT Roorkee) presented an innovative reuse model for RRBO residue in road construction, potentially reducing bitumen costs by 5–12% and improving environmental sustainability.
The session 6, a high-powered Deep Dive Dialogue led by Dr. S.S.V. Ramakumar, united industry leaders like Bankim Patra (Indian Oil), Sudhir Kumar (RECEIC & FICCI), Sarvesh Tomar (BPCL), Nandan Agrawaal (Nandan Petrochem), and Akhileshwar Jha (Valvoline Cummins). They addressed operationalizing EPR through regulatory clarity, digital traceability, cost rationalization, and incentive structures. A recurring theme was the urgency of establishing a national institutional framework to ensure uniform compliance, address the diversion of used oil, and reduce foreign exchange outflows by boosting indigenous RRBO production.
Each speaker underscored the environmental, economic, and strategic imperatives of transitioning to a circular lubricant economy. The consensus: India’s used oil ecosystem can only be transformed through collaboration, innovation, and strong market enforcement. The introduction of city-level pilot projects and greater OEM commitment were seen as crucial next steps.
The conference concluded with widespread appreciation for Rosefield Energy Tech, which has steadily built a credible and collaborative platform for aligning producers, refiners, OEMs, and regulators. As the sector moves into the most challenging phase—implementation—the conference reinforced the importance of institutional synergy, stakeholder training, and data-backed transparency.
Rosefield Energy Tech plans to deepen industry engagement through targeted training programs, pilot initiatives, and international partnerships. The momentum generated at the 4th Rosefield Conference on Circular Economy in Used Oil marks a pivotal moment in India’s journey from policy design to circular execution—solidifying the event’s reputation as the definitive convening space for the future of used oil management.
Looking ahead, Industry is now gearing up for Valvoline Presents 3rd Rosefield Conference for Lubricants and Fuels, scheduled for November 12–13, 2025, at NESCO, Mumbai. This event will bring together over 600 delegates and more than 45 exhibitors to explore the latest innovations, market trends, and sustainability practices in the lubricants and fuels industry. Expect high level presentations, insightful panel discussions, a vibrant exhibition, the Rosefield Awards ceremony honoring industry innovators, and ample networking opportunities, all designed to foster collaboration and drive the future of fuels and lubricants.
