Castrol launches motor oil bottles with less plastic in Europe

Castrol, a leading global lubricants company based in the UK, has unveiled its new packaging design, which is set to roll out across its product lines in Europe. The rollout of the new packaging will begin immediately, with the entire product range expected to transition by the end of the year.

The newly designed plastic bottles come in half-litre, one-litre, four-litre and five-litre sizes. The new packaging not only features a refreshed look but also uses up to 20% less plastic in some bottles, reflecting Castrol’s commitment to sustainability. In addition, the bottles are more compact on the shelf and easier to transport compared to the previous bottles. 

For the five-litre bottle, sharp bottle corners have been turned into clever ridges designed for extra strength and resilience. The overall bottle shapes have also been optimised to allow more bottles to fit on pallets and shelves. This focus on space optimisation, including the repositioning of the handle to the corner, means 28% more cartons containing four-litre bottles can now fit on a single pallet. Similarly, 36 cartons containing five-litre bottles can now fit on a single pallet, compared to 28 cartons before. 

Since 2019, the new bottles were introduced in several of Castrol’s international markets, including China and India, enabling the company to use 4,000 tonnes less plastic when compared to the previous small bottle designs. In Europe, the new bottles are expected to save around 1,000 tonnes of plastic per annum compared to the previous small bottle designs and aggregated across the full bottle range.

The redesigned packaging is the result of extensive research and customer feedback. It aims to improve user experience while reducing environmental impact. The new containers are made with recyclable materials and are designed to be more durable, ensuring the high-quality lubricants are protected until they reach the consumer.

The updated design also includes a more intuitive labeling system that helps customers easily identify the right product for their needs. This clarity is part of Castrol’s initiative to enhance customer satisfaction and streamline the selection process.

A series of features, including a tamper-evident cap with an embossed Castrol logo and a heat seal have been added to protect the integrity of the products and provide additional reassurance to customers that the bottles contain genuine Castrol lubricants and fluids.  

“As the mobility sector and wider industry transition towards a more sustainable future, customers want greater choice and increasingly sustainable solutions. The new packaging goes hand-in-hand with that and with our new brand identity. Together, they signal Castrol’s commitment to investing in the future and creating new opportunities for growth and success, while meeting the changing needs of our customers,” said Marc Perkins, sales manager, UK and Ireland, Castrol.

The introduction of the newly designed bottles is part of Castrol’s delivery of its PATH360 sustainability strategy that sets out aims to help save waste, reduce carbon and improve lives.