Dated market, standards, regulatory and technology developments with concise commercial context and links to the original sources.
Authoritative industry report; transaction pending
Shell · Sefas Group · Indonesia
Sefas agrees to acquire Shell's Indonesia fuel-station business
ALIA reported that Indonesian lubricants distributor Sefas Group agreed to acquire 100% of Shell's fuel-station business in Indonesia, subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions. The report does not establish a transfer of Shell's lubricant brand or lubricant operations.
Valvoline expands Mahindra Racing Formula E partnership
Valvoline Global Operations became an Official Partner of Mahindra Racing, linking its lubricant-development programme with electric-mobility work. The announcement is a partnership signal, not evidence of a new commercial EV-fluid specification or product approval.
Industry report dated 20 Aug; announcement dated 19 Aug
Shell · Hyundai · OEM partnership
Shell and Hyundai renew global lubricants partnership
Shell Lubricants and Hyundai Motor renewed their global partnership for five years. ALIA published the report on 20 August; the companies announced the agreement on 19 August. The relationship began in 2005 and covers collaboration across product development and motorsport engineering.
Industry report dated 20 Aug; announcement dated 18 Aug
Castrol · thermal fluids · data centres
Castrol cooling fluids validated for NVIDIA AI infrastructure
Castrol said its ON PG25 and ON PG25T direct-to-chip cooling fluids were validated against NVIDIA requirements for AI-factory and data-centre infrastructure. ALIA published the report on 20 August; Castrol's underlying company announcement was dated 18 August.
Used-oil EPR certificate transfer is operational again
CPCB's official portal states that EPR-certificate transfer has resumed and is operational. This confirms the transfer function, not a separate price-discovery marketplace.
EU publishes Euro 7 rules for battery durability and low-temperature EV range
The 13 July implementing regulation was published on 22 July. It covers real-world battery-durability metrics, low-temperature BEV range, electrified-system power and related monitoring, but is not an EV-fluid specification.
The regulation establishes type-approval rules, test methods and conformity requirements for M1 and N1 brake-particle emissions. It has no direct engine-oil requirement.
UK updates the Recyclability Assessment Methodology for 2027
Published on 1 July and updated on 2 July with a clarification, the methodology covers relevant household packaging. RAM 1.1 remains the method for 2026 reporting.
Tata Motors and Castrol start a Karnataka collection pilot
The companies announced a pilot using authorised commercial-vehicle service touchpoints as collection points and registered recyclers for onward processing.
EPA updates business guidance on managing used oil
The updated guidance clarifies Part 279 application, specification used oil, storage, hazardous-waste mixtures and processing. State rules may be stricter.
GST e-invoices now support used-oil EPR certificate generation
CPCB directed recyclers to maintain GST-linked sales records. From 1 July 2026, certificates supported by recycled-product sales invoices other than GST e-invoices are not to be considered.
ATC-ERC identifies the 1 June version as current. The code governs consistent engine-test operation, registration and reporting used in ACEA and EELQMS development work.
A dedicated RECEIC working group examines used-oil circularity
MoEFCC's 2025–26 annual report identifies Circularity in Used Oil as one of five working groups under the Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Coalition, with FICCI as secretariat.
States asked to review implementation and report action taken
CPCB issued an implementation-review communication to State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees and requested Action Taken Reports under the used-oil EPR framework.
CPCB issues environmental-compensation guidelines for used-oil EPR
CPCB published final guidance for imposing environmental compensation under the 2023 used-oil EPR rules. The guideline should be read with the governing rules and entity-specific facts.
The 23 January 2026 office memorandum extended only the FY 2024–25 used-oil EPR return deadline, from 31 December 2025 to 31 March 2026. That relief has expired.
ATIEL Issue 26 adds a statement on re-refined base stocks
The code addresses re-refined base stocks in automotive engine oils and clarifies audit requirements. It does not create automatic approval for an RRBS-containing formulation.
CPCB directs rapid onboarding of regulated entities
CPCB asked State Boards and Pollution Control Committees to require producers, used-oil importers, recyclers and collection agents to apply for portal registration within 15 days.
CPCB defines two collection-agent operating models
CPCB's guideline distinguishes CA-1 collection and transport from CA-2 collection, storage and transport. CA-2 facilities require relevant consent and authorisation, and the guideline sets a maximum 90-day storage period.