The Technical Association of the European Lubricants Industry and the Independent Union of the European Lubricants Industry’s Joint Sustainability Committee released a new guidance document that is intended to support members of ATIEL and UEIL, along with the wider lubricants industry, in adopting lifecycle approaches aligned with circular economy and sustainability goals, said the committee in a press release.
One of the European Union’s core environmental and industrial policy principles is the circular economy, with the aim to reduce waste, extend product lifecycles and promote resource efficiency across sectors through regulations such as the Circular Economy Action Plan and the Waste Framework Directive.
Introduced during the 2025 ATIEL Technical Seminar on June 5 in Brussels by Joris Van der List, head of the committee’s Downstream Working Group, the publication provides practical ways to improve the end-of-life management of lubricants and greases, the committee explained.
The document, called Lubricants & Greases End of Life: Sustainable Best Practices, covers several areas, including recent regulatory developments in Europe, approaches for creating sustainable and circular lubricant product lines, and practices for sourcing environmentally responsible raw materials. It includes recommendations tailored to specific lubricant applications, aiming to help companies meet shifting regulatory expectations.
Acknowledging the evolving nature of sustainability requirements, the guidance also incorporates links to online resources that are regularly updated, offering a flexible framework for companies seeking to enhance environmental performance and improve circularity across operations.