The management of waste lubricants in Spain is a critical process that must adhere to both environmental sustainability and legal compliance. A key regulatory framework governing this practice is Royal Decree No. 679/2006, issued on June 2, 2006. This decree places the obligation on lubricating oil producers in the industrial and automotive sectors to ensure the proper collection, recovery, and regeneration of waste oils resulting from the use of their marketed products.
In accordance with this legal mandate, the Spanish lubricant manufacturers and distributors association, ASELUBE (Asociación Española de Lubricantes), has united many leading companies operating both nationally and internationally within the sector, including Amalie Motor Oil, BP, Castrol, Cogelsa, Enilive, Fuchs, Galp, MOTUL, Petronas, Gulf, Elf, Nynas, Q8 Oils, Repsol, Rhenus, Cromogenia, Mobil, Klüber, Quaker Houghton, Shell, Total Energies, and Texaco. In 2007, ASELUBE members established SIGAUS (Sistema Integrado de Gestión de Aceites Usados), a non-profit organization dedicated to the responsible collection and management of used industrial oils, ensuring environmentally sustainable practices.
The primary mission of SIGAUS is to guarantee the full collection and sustainable reprocessing of used industrial oils across Spain, ensuring environmentally responsible practices. As a non-profit entity, SIGAUS operates solely for this ecological purpose, with no commercial or financial interests. Contributions from member companies provide the necessary funding for the collection, separation, and reprocessing of used oils, supporting a circular and sustainable approach to industrial oil management.
SIGAUS goes beyond simply ensuring the separate collection of waste oils—distinct from other liquid and solid waste—it also guarantees compliance with legal requirements. Acting on behalf of its members, the organization handles regulatory reporting to environmental authorities, develops business prevention plans, and tracks environmental targets. In this capacity, SIGAUS is more than just a waste management entity; it is a key advocate for environmental responsibility.
In practice, SIGAUS not only coordinates member contributions based on sales but also oversees the collection, transportation, and processing of used oils through licensed collectors. Currently, SIGAUS collaborates with approximately 50 certified collectors, ensuring waste oil is gathered from service centers (incl. the Balearic Islands), dealerships, and industrial facilities across Spain. This comprehensive network enables the nationwide collection and recycling of waste oils that meet specific technical standards, all at no cost to the participants.
SIGAUS’s Environmental Impact in 2024
According to official reports submitted by SIGAUS to the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Combat (MITECO)—the institution responsible for Spain’s environmental policies, sustainable development, and climate change efforts—a total of 132,568 net tons of used lubricants were collected and recycled in an environmentally responsible manner throughout 2024.
Of this total, 74% underwent refining to be transformed into new base oils, later used in lubricant production. The remaining 26% was repurposed as an alternative fuel for energy recovery, contributing to energy production in cement kilns, paper mills, and thermal power plants.
These initiatives have significantly reduced reliance on fossil resources, preventing the release of over 83,000 tons of CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere. In doing so, SIGAUS has played a pivotal role in advancing the circular economy and minimizing the carbon footprint.
As a result, Spain’s SIGAUS model has emerged as one of the EU’s leading sustainable systems for waste oil management. By integrating circular economy principles, this framework not only safeguards the environment but also ensures the recovery of valuable raw materials for industrial use.
Sources
Asociados y Socios Colaboradores, [Internet] https://aselube.net/quienes-somos/informacion-corporativa/asociados-y-socios-colaboradores/#asociados
Gestión de Aceites Usados (SIGAUS), [Internet] https://www.lubritec.com/gestion-de-aceites-usados-sigaus/
Sigaus gestionó más de 132.000 toneladas de aceite industrial usado en 2024, [Internet] https://www.interempresas.net/Reciclaje/Articulos/596477-SIGAUS-gestiono-mas-de-132000-toneladas-de-aceite-industrial-usado-en-2024.html
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