We continue our series on the document “Lubricants & Greases: End of Life – Sustainable Best Practices” (2024) by ATIEL and UEIL. After exploring RRBOs, today’s focus is on another fundamental element of a modern circular lubricant economy:
Sustainable lubricant portfolios.
What does the EoL document say?
Chapters 3.8 and 3.9 underline that sustainable lubricant portfolios are not a marketing trend but a structural transformation of the industry. The document highlights several key requirements:
- Use of sustainable raw materials, especially RRBOs as substitutes for fossil base oils
- Supply chain responsibility, including audits, traceability and responsible sourcing
- Optimised formulations designed to reduce environmental impact
- Energy‑efficient production processes
- Integration of Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) for applications in sensitive ecosystems
The central message: sustainability begins long before the end of a lubricant’s life cycle. It starts with the raw materials, the production strategy and the design of the supply chain.
How does AVISTA OIL implement a sustainable portfolio?
AVISTA OIL has aligned its product strategy with these principles for many years. Our portfolio is designed to combine high technical performance with tangible environmental responsibility.
Use of RRBOs
Regenerated base oils are one of the most effective levers for reducing the environmental footprint of lubricants.
At AVISTA OIL, RRBOs are a core component of product formulation, replacing fossil base oils wherever technically feasible.
Supply chain responsibility
Sustainability requires consistent action across the entire value chain. Therefore, AVISTA OIL:
- conducts regular quality, safety and sustainability audits with key suppliers
- collaborates closely with partners to improve their environmental performance
- relies on certified and responsible procurement pathways
Energy‑efficient production
Our blending and production facilities are designed for efficiency and reduced resource consumption through:
- energy‑saving mixing processes
- optimised dosing systems
- heat‑recovery technologies
- the use of steam from biomass to lower production‑related CO₂ emissions
These measures ensure that our lubricants are manufactured with a significantly reduced environmental footprint.
EALs – lubricants for sensitive environments
Our portfolio includes Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants that meet international environmental standards and are designed for applications such as forestry, municipal operations and areas near water.
Conclusion
What the ATIEL/UEIL document defines as best practice is already firmly established at AVISTA OIL:
Our lubricant portfolio combines technical performance with climate and resource responsibility.
Through the use of RRBOs, responsible sourcing and energy‑efficient production, we create products that fully align with a circular, low‑carbon lubricant strategy.
Next in the series
The coming article will focus on:
Transparency – why it is essential in the lubricant industry and how AVISTA OIL ensures it.