Italy records highest-ever collection of used lubricating oils at 195,000 tonnes in 2025
Executive summary: Italy's national consortium reported that 195,000 tonnes of used lubricating oils were gathered in 2025, surpassing the 188,000 tonnes collected in 2024. The record collection indicates improved compliance with waste‑oil regulations and delivers greater volumes for re‑refining, lowering reliance on virgin base oil and cutting environmental hazards.
Who is involved: The main actors are Italy’s used‑oil management consortium (COOU), lubricant producers, automotive workshops, and municipal collection points.
Likely next: Stakeholders will likely push for further increases in collection targets and invest in re‑refining capacity to handle the growing supply of waste oil.
In 2025 Italy collected 195,000 tonnes of waste lubricating oils, up from 188,000 tonnes the previous year, marking a new national record. The increase reflects tighter enforcement of collection obligations and growing participation from workshops and distributors. Higher recovery rates reduce environmental contamination and support the circular economy for lubricants.
Timeline
- — Oli lubrificanti, raccolta record nel 2025 a 195mila tonnellate (Il Sole 24 Ore — Economia)
Analysis — what this means
Likely next events
- Potential revision of national collection quotas for 2026-2027
- Increased investment in re‑refining plants by major lubricant firms
Sectors affected
- Lubricants & oil recycling
- Automotive maintenance
- Waste management
Regulatory implications
- Strengthening of extended producer responsibility (EOR) schemes for lubricants
Historical parallels
- Similar record‑setting collections reported for waste oils in Germany in 2022
- Japan’s used‑oil recycling rate surpassing 80% in 2021 after stricter reporting
Sources
- Oli lubrificanti, raccolta record nel 2025 a 195mila tonnellate — Il Sole 24 Ore — Economia