Top 10 Companies in the Recycled Lubricant Industry (2026): Market Leaders Fueling the Global Circular Economy

In Business Insights
January 16, 2026


The Global Recycled Lubricant Market was valued at USD 975.61 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 1,329.99 Million by 2029, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.30% during the forecast period (2024–2029). This robust growth is being propelled by stringent environmental regulations, rising demand for cost-effective lubrication solutions, and the accelerated adoption of Circular Economy principles across industrial and automotive sectors.

As industries worldwide intensify their focus on sustainability and resource efficiency, the spotlight is on the key players who are transforming used oil from a waste product into a valuable resource. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Recycled Lubricant Industry—a mix of global re-refiners, waste oil collectors, and sustainability pioneers shaping the future of lubricant consumption.

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🔟 1. Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.

Headquarters: Elgin, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Re-Refined Base Oils (Group I, II, II+), Parts Washer Solvents, Environmental Services

Heritage-Crystal Clean is a prominent North American leader in environmentally focused services, with a significant footprint in the re-refining of used oil. Their re-refining process produces high-quality base oils that meet or exceed virgin oil specifications, serving a wide range of industrial and automotive lubricant blenders.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Operates one of the largest re-refineries in the US with significant processing capacity

  • Closed-loop service model: collects used oil and returns re-refined products to customers

  • Strong commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles


9️⃣ 2. Vertex Energy, Inc.

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Re-Refined Base Oils, Conventional Recycling Services, Black Oil Processing

Vertex Energy is a key player in the North American recycled lubricant market, specializing in the collection and re-refining of used motor oil and other petroleum by-products. The company’s acquisition of the used motor oil collection and re-refining assets from Safety-Kleen significantly expanded its capacity and market reach.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Strategic expansion of re-refining capacity to over 170 million gallons annually

  • Focus on producing Group II and Group III equivalent base oils for higher-value markets


8️⃣ 3. Avista Oil AG

Headquarters: Uetze, Germany
Key Offering: Re-Refined Base Oils, Used Oil Collection, Sustainable Base Oil Brands

Avista Oil is a major European player with a global presence, operating one of the most advanced re-refineries in the world. The company’s proprietary purification technology allows it to produce base oils of exceptionally high quality, which are marketed under brands like AVISTA® and AVISTA® Z.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneer in closed-loop recycling systems for industrial clients

  • International network for used oil collection and product distribution

  • Focus on reducing the carbon footprint of lubrication by up to 80% compared to virgin oil production


7️⃣ 4. Universal Lubricants, LLC (A Subsidiary of Hydrodec Group plc)

Headquarters: Wichita, Kansas, USA
Key Offering: ECO® Ultra-Re-Refined Base Oils, Finished Lubricants, Used Oil Collection

Universal Lubricants, part of the Hydrodec Group, is renowned for its proprietary re-refining technology that produces high-purity base oils. Their ECO® Ultra brand is widely recognized in the market for its quality and performance, supplied directly to blenders and under private label agreements.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Vertically integrated model from collection to re-refining and distribution

  • Technology that removes virtually all contaminants, producing near-virgin quality oil

Download FREE Sample Report:
Global Recycled Lubricant Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Nysha Enterprises

Headquarters: Delhi, India
Key Offering: Re-Refined Base Oils, Used Oil Collection Services, Industrial Lubricants

Nysha Enterprises is a significant player in the Indian recycled lubricant market, capitalizing on the country’s growing demand for sustainable lubrication solutions. The company plays a crucial role in managing India’s substantial volumes of used lubricating oil through environmentally sound practices.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of India-specific collection and re-refining infrastructure

  • Contribution to reducing India’s dependence on imported base oils


5️⃣ 6. MSS GROUPS

Headquarters: Chennai, India
Key Offering: Waste Oil Re-Refining, Industrial Waste Management, Sustainable Lubricant Solutions

MSS GROUPS is a leading provider of integrated waste management and recycling solutions in India, with a dedicated focus on lubricant recycling. The company serves a diverse industrial clientele, offering end-to-end services from collection to the delivery of re-refined products.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Implementation of advanced re-refining technologies compliant with international standards

  • Focus on creating a sustainable ecosystem for used oil management in Southern India


4️⃣ 7. Hydrodec Group plc

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Re-Refined Transformer Oil, Re-Refined Base Oils (via Universal Lubricants)

Hydrodec Group is a specialist oil re-refining company with a unique focus on transformer oil, in addition to its base oil production through Universal Lubricants. Their technology is renowned for producing SUPERFINETM transformer oil, which is considered a direct replacement for virgin oil.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • World-leading technology for the decontamination and re-use of transformer oil

  • Significant reduction in CO2 emissions compared to virgin oil production

  • Global operations serving the critical power generation and transmission sector


3️⃣ 8. Slicker Recycling

Headquarters: Stourport-on-Severn, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Used Oil Collection, Re-Refined Base Oils, Waste Management Services

Slicker Recycling is a major UK-based company specializing in the collection, treatment, and recycling of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes, with used lubricating oil being a core segment. The company operates advanced processing facilities to return waste oil to the circular economy.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • One of the UK’s leading used oil collectors and processors

  • Investment in state-of-the-art recycling technology to maximize recovery rates

  • Commitment to the Waste Hierarchy, prioritizing recycling over disposal


2️⃣ 9. Renewable Lubricants, Inc. (RLI)

Headquarters: Hartville, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: Bio-Based Lubricants, Re-Refined Oil Blends, High-Performance Biodegradable Fluids

Renewable Lubricants, Inc. takes a unique approach by blending bio-based stocks with re-refined base oils to create high-performance, environmentally preferable lubricants. Their products are designed for demanding applications and are often biodegradable and non-toxic.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneer in bio-based and recycled lubricant formulations

  • Focus on reducing environmental impact throughout the product lifecycle

  • Development of lubricants that meet USDA BioPreferred® program standards


1️⃣ 10. Whelan Refining Ltd.

Headquarters: Liverpool, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Re-Refined Base Oils, Vacuum Gas Oil (VGO), Fuel Oil

Whelan Refining is a key operator in the UK’s recycling sector, processing used lubricating oils into valuable products. The company’s refining process recovers base oil and other hydrocarbon fractions, diverting significant waste from landfills and incineration.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Long-standing operation contributing to the UK’s circular economy for oils

  • Efficient recovery of resources from what would otherwise be hazardous waste

  • Adherence to strict environmental permitting and safety standards

Get Full Report Here:
Global Recycled Lubricant Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Lubricants Is Circular and Sustainable

The recycled lubricant market is undergoing a fundamental transformation. While virgin lubricants still dominate the market by volume, the industry is witnessing increased investment in advanced re-refining technologies, expanded collection infrastructure, and stronger regulatory frameworks that favor recycling.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations globally, mandating lubricant producers to manage the end-of-life of their products.

  • Technological advancements in re-refining, such as thin-film evaporation and hydrogenation, producing Group II and III equivalent base oils.

  • Growing consumer and corporate preference for sustainable products, driving demand for lubricants with recycled content.

  • Strategic partnerships between major oil companies and re-refiners to meet sustainability targets and secure supply chains.

Get Full Report Here:
Global Recycled Lubricant Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only managing a critical waste stream—they are pioneering a resource-efficient future for the global lubrication industry, proving that sustainability and performance can go hand in hand.