Used industrial oil in Spain is one of the most widespread and at the same time most hazardous wastes generated by human activity. Its correct management is essential not only for legal reasons, but also because of its high polluting potential. To ensure responsible and circular management, it is essential to know where it is generated, in what proportions and how this waste is collected.

Main waste oil generating sectors

In 2024, and according to official data from the Sigaus 2024 Report, used industrial oil originated mainly from two major sectors:

– Automotive: with 57% of the total (164,944 tons), including passenger cars, transport, agricultural machinery and public works vehicles.

– Industry: with 41 % (118,647 tons), especially in activities such as metallurgy, energy, automation, maintenance, etc.

The remaining 2%, some 4,552 tons, of used industrial oil had been generated in other sectors.

Where is used industrial oil collected?

The generation of used industrial oil in Spain is widely distributed, both at sectoral and territorial level. This poses a great logistical challenge that is faced on a daily basis by coordinating collection and management throughout the country with various systems.

Total volume managed in 2024

During 2024, 153,589 gross tons of used oil were collected. Of these, 132,568 tons were net oily quantity (the usable oil) and 21,021 tons correspond to improprieties (water, sediments, etc.), which are separated in the treatment stages.

At our Alcover regeneration plant, we have the capacity to treat up to 44,000 tons of used industrial oil per year. The process is based on the innovative VAXON technology, an advanced vacuum distillation system perfected by our R&D team. Thanks to this technique, we are able to remove impurities from the waste and recover high quality base oils, ready to return to the production cycle as raw material for new lubricants.

In 2024, we broke our record again, reaching almost 50 % of the total amount of oil regenerated in Spain, by committing to a zero-waste model and boosting the energy efficiency of our plant.

Distribution by type of establishment

Collection took place in 66,546 establishments and through 177,701 operations. The waste is generated in various sectors, with the following distribution by gross volume:

This shows that used oil is not only generated in large industries or workshops, but also in small economic activities spread throughout the territory.

Geographic dispersion: a daily challenge

In 2024, the management system collected used oil in 4,832 municipalities throughout Spain. Seventy-two percent of these towns were rural, many of them with small volumes. Despite this, the system makes an average of 730 collections per day, ensuring coverage even in the least populated areas.

A striking fact: 67% of the municipalities that made collections contributed only 6% of the total oil collected, which shows a high level of logistical commitment to reach the entire national territory.

A hazardous waste with strict regulations

Used industrial oil is classified as hazardous waste. After use, it can contain heavy metals, sulfur, chlorine, aromatic compounds, among other highly polluting substances. A single liter poured into the soil can contaminate an area equivalent to a soccer field.

For this reason, their management is regulated by several regulations:

– Royal Decree 679/2006Regulating the management of used industrial oils.

• – Order ARM/795/2011Modification of Annex III of Royal Decree 679/2006, of June 2, which regulates the management of used industrial oils.
• – Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated soils.For a circular economy.
  

These laws establish extended producer responsibility, obliging manufacturers and importers to finance and ensure proper management. SIGAUS, as a collective system, coordinates these obligations in Spain.

The generation of used industrial oil in Spain is strongly linked to the automotive and industrial sectors, but its collection covers the whole territory and a wide variety of sectors. Understanding how, where and in what proportions this waste is generated is key to ensuring efficient, legal and environmentally friendly management.

At Cator, we have more than 30 years of experience transforming used industrial oil into regenerated base oilready to return to the market with the same technical properties as virgin oil. We work under a model of circular economymodel, focusing on efficiency, traceability and the real valorization of waste.

Because every liter counts.