This year, at Cator, we are celebrating a special milestone: 25 years since the development of the first engine lubricant formulated 100% with regenerated oil that passed the most demanding European (ACEA) and American (API) homologations.
The innovative oil was the result of a joint project between Cator as used oil regenerator and the companies Petronas Lubricants Iberia (formerly FL Iberia) as lubricant manufacturer, and Infineum, as additive manufacturer.
Launched in 1999, the product was christened URANIA Ecoroil and marked a turning point in the lubricants sector, demonstrating that sustainability and top quality were not mutually exclusive.
URANIA Ecoroil, the project that revolutionized the lubricant market in the 1990s
At the end of the 1990s, recycled products did not have a good image, they were perceived as second-rate products, and sectors such as lubricants avoided their use, arguing that their quality was not adequate.
Faced with this situation, Cator launched a project to demonstrate that its regenerated basestocks could offer a quality equivalent to that of first-refined oils. To this end, it joined forces with one of the leading lubricant manufacturers of the time, Petronas Lubricants Iberia (formerly FL Iberia) and Infineum, a world leader in the manufacture of additives, to develop together the URANIA Ecoroil lubricant made 100% with Cator’s regenerated basestocks. The objective was to comply with the most demanding certifications in the sector, both European (ACEA) and American (API), and to demonstrate that its properties were at least equal to those of the first refining.
The joint project was a success, bringing to the market for the first time a lubricant made only with regenerated basestock that passed all certifications, guaranteeing the quality of regenerated oils and opening the way to a new era of more sustainable products without compromising performance. The new lubricant was approved by renowned manufacturers such as VOLVO, FIAT, MAN, CHRYSLER, among others.
News from the newspaper Cataluña Expansión, 1999.
What does a 100% regenerated lubricant mean?
A lubricating oil is composed of approximately 80% base oil and 20% additives. A 100% regenerated lubricant means that the base oil used is recycled from a used oil regeneration process. The regeneration process makes it possible to reintroduce used oil into the market, reducing dependence on oil and contributing to the reduction of emissions, in line with the principles of the circular economy.
A commitment to sustainability and quality
This project was a pioneer in demonstrating that oil regeneration is a quality option for the automotive industry and other sectors that depend on high-performance lubricants. It opened the door to the reintroduction of regenerated oils into the market, allowing the sector to become a benchmark in circularity and the consumption of recycled products in the late 1990s.
25 years of progress towards a greener future
The success of this collaborative project was a turning point in consolidating the regenerated bases. But it was also the beginning of Cator’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. A commitment that is still more valid than ever, promoting new innovative circular projects in sectors as diverse as plastics and glycol.
