Shell highlights cost and complexity in sustainable lubricants

At F+L Week 2025, held on 13-14 March in Bali, Indonesia, Shell’s Vice President of Lubricants Asia Pacific, Mansi Madan Tripathy, addressed the pressing challenges faced by the lubricants industry in its pursuit of sustainability and the global energy transition.

Tripathy revealed that the lubricants industry’s carbon footprint is estimated to be between 250 and 400 million tonnes of carbon. While efforts to improve production, packaging, and logistics have been a focal point, these initiatives only account for a small portion of the industry’s total emissions.

A holistic approach to decarbonisation

Shell is taking significant steps to minimise its environmental impact by partnering with customers to develop high-performance, low-carbon solutions. The company is also increasing its use of circular materials and renewables, improving packaging sustainability, and reducing emissions across its operations.

However, Tripathy pointed out that the bulk of the industry’s emissions stem from raw materials (35-40%) and the end-of-life phase, particularly product loss (40%). Addressing these areas is essential to achieving meaningful reductions in carbon output.

Overcoming industry barriers

Tripathy outlined three key obstacles to sustainability in the lubricants sector:

1. Cost of Implementation – As more straightforward solutions are exhausted, achieving deeper reductions requires greater investment. The question remains: who will bear the costs, especially when consumer willingness to pay a premium for sustainable products remains low?
2. Measurement and Verification Challenges – The industry lacks alignment on carbon impact assessment, with estimates ranging widely from 250 to 400 million tonnes. Standardised metrics are crucial for accurate evaluation and reporting.
3. Operational and Economic Barriers – Creating a fully functioning sustainable ecosystem requires overcoming logistical and financial challenges.

Steps towards a sustainable future

Tripathy emphasised the need for industry-wide collaboration, including the establishment of standards for waste oil quality and the importance of consumer education. Many consumers still undervalue sustainable lubricants, and key players in the value chain, such as workshops and OEMs, remain largely uninvolved in the sustainability journey.

Customer acceptance of re-refined base oil is also a major hurdle, as quality concerns persist. Additionally, price sensitivity continues to deter widespread adoption of sustainable lubricants. Technological advancements are critical, particularly in improving biodegradable options for high-temperature and high-pressure applications.

Tripathy’s insights at F+L Week 2025 underscored the need for greater collaboration, investment, and innovation to overcome these challenges and accelerate the lubricants industry’s transition towards a sustainable future.