EcoVadis Platinum Award hat trick: GB Lubricants remains a global leader in sustainability

Demonstrating a steadfast commitment to fulfilling sustainability pledges and ambitions with concrete improvements, GB Lubricants has been awarded the EcoVadis Platinum rating for the third consecutive year.

As the highest level of classification that can be achieved, this recognition places the UK-based oil and lubricants manufacturer in the top 1% of companies assessed globally in the last 12 months, and confirms its position as a key player in shaping the industry’s approach to minimising environmental impact and implementing more responsible sustainability practices on an international scale.

Lauded a “remarkable achievement” by GB Lubricants Managing Director, Paul Booth, the company attained an evidence-based overall score of 88 points out of a possible 100, a five-point increase on 2024. The sector average is 61* (EcoVadis, 2025). “The Platinum rating is a public acknowledgement of the work that goes on behind-the-scenes and something we can be proud of,” says Paul. “For us, it’s a statement of commitment as well as intent. As a long-established and principled company, our impact is far-reaching, and we take our responsibility to do our very best in all aspects of the business seriously. Setting and superseding benchmarks for sustainability within the oil and lubricants industry is one of the ways we demonstrate this.”

GB Lubricants, which has been based in Gateshead since 1877 and is well established for blending high quality oils, lubricants and greases, achieved its first EcoVadis rating in 2019. The Gold certification was “early validation of the work we had begun and proof that our efforts were taking us in the right direction,” explains Paul. By 2030, the company aims to be using 100%  true net carbon-zero energy in its manufacturing facility and head office.

To effectuate this target, sustainability is an everyday consideration, therefore genuine and lasting change has been implemented at every level of the business. In 2023, GB Lubricants became the first private sector company in the UK to connect to and use the Gateshead District Energy scheme, which produces renewable heat and electricity through solar power and an innovative mine water system. In 2024, 35% recycled packaging was introduced into the company’s oil and lubricants ranges.

Designed to lower emissions, improve efficiencies, and extend the lifespan of machinery and engines, GB Lubricants’ products have a meaningful role too. At the forefront of this product development is the biodegradable Unibio® range, which is formulated for use in equipment that is used in areas of environmental sensitivity. “Our staff, shareholders, owners, customers and downstream users can be reassured that GB Lubricants develops and implements solutions that are both environmentally beneficial and economically sound,” asserts Paul. Producing an annual sustainability report, which is published publicly and within the GB Lubricants group, ensures accountability.

To determine GB Lubricants’ 2025 score, EcoVadis, the leading global provider of business sustainability ratings, assessed the company’s performance and supply chain in four key areas: the environment, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. Supervised by an independent scientific committee, the EcoVadis methodology is aligned with leading sustainability standards and frameworks, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), and ISO.

The efforts made to strengthen ethical practices, policy and reporting at GB Lubricants, were a significant contributing factor to the increase on last year’s overall score. “We proactively targeted the ethics pillar as an area of improvement for our 2025 submission,” explains Health & Safety and Business Systems Manager, Richard Knowles, who is responsible for the annual collation of data for the EcoVadis assessment. Achieving a total of 86 for ethics – up 16 points on 2024 – it compares positively to the industry average of 56* (EcoVadis, 2025).

“Working with a highly credible partner such as EcoVadis helps give assurance to all stakeholders that our assessment score is robustly audited,” explains Richard. “The Platinum Medal award is globally recognised and therefore comparable to others to show that we consider sustainability impacts in our supply choices, actions and products.”

A reflection of how well GB Lubricants upholds fair labour practices and supports equitable work environments within its workforce, as well as within the supply chain, the company achieved a 10% increase on last year’s labour and human rights score – gaining eight points, to a total of 88.

“The company’s long-term sustainability journey has shown the broad nature of what it means to successfully embrace a sustainable culture within a business,” says Richard. The EcoVadis audit also showcased the manufacturer’s successful integration of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) principles into procurement processes with a score of 83 for sustainable procurement, which is much higher than the industry average of 49* (EcoVadis, 2025).

“The elements that contribute to sustainability cover more than environmental impact and carbon reduction,” explains Richard. “It’s a complex and interconnected programme that requires a high level of buy-in and understanding from all aspects of the business.  A proactive culture was needed before we even began to measure the impact our business is having in all areas of its operation.”

Maintaining the Platinum rating and surpassing previous scores, Paul says, requires a holistic approach. “The team recognises they all have a part to play and strives to incorporate sustainability strategy into their responsibilities. Results and measurable impact can only be achieved if you set clear metrics and hold yourself to them.”

Being an SME enterprise, “brings many challenges as well as benefits,” Richard continues. For example, while GB Lubricants doesn’t suffer from an intention-action gap in putting sustainable strategy into practice, it does not have a dedicated team to do so.

“It is a challenge to reach such high sustainability standards, especially when comparing against large multinational companies, so to complete a Platinum hat trick, maintaining GB Lubricants’ position in the top 1% of companies assessed across all sectors globally, whilst increasing our score year-on-year, is testament to the commitment of all involved,” he says. “For other SMEs this ongoing commitment wouldn’t be considered achievable. Working closely with management to embed a lot of these tasks into our day-to-day thinking and processes normalises the sustainability mindset and smooths out some of the spikes in resource time you would have to allocate otherwise.”

Sharing learnings, data and best practice with customers as well as industry peers, GB Lubricants seeks to understand the challenges others face on their sustainability journey, as well as offer informed advice. “It’s important we educate ourselves so we can help others navigate the best approach; communication and collaboration is key,” says Paul, who utilises a variety of platforms – including summits, conferences and webinars – to present findings. Investing in people who will have the right skills to address the challenges ahead, he believes, is vital. As a business experienced individual, he devised and delivered a module on sustainability for those under the tuition of the United Kingdom Lubricants Association, who organise comprehensive training packages for people entering the industry. “I also work on our industries European wide sustainability joint committee for The Technical Association of the European Lubricants Industry (ATIEL) and The Union of the European Lubricants Industry (UEIL) to help shape thinking and our response to future sustainability challenges.”

Legitimate in its position as a global green champion, GB Lubricants is winning new business from climate-conscious customers, to working with a growing number of third-party clients for contract manufacturing, who require a trusted sustainable blending partner to manufacture their own products to high-quality standards, as well as a foundation of loyal accounts, the company is well-positioned for growth. GB Lubricants currently exports to 25 countries. “Sustainability awareness continues to increase in the wider world across all sectors,” says Richard, “and we know our suppliers and customers see our commitment as an advantage that aligns with their own goals.”

Paul adds: “This is an ongoing journey but it’s very rewarding for me personally to see how our team and our business continues to navigate the future and gain such positive recognition along the way.”

* All industry average data provided by EcoVadis [ecovadis.com benchmark section of member scorecard portal Accessed 8 January 2026].