GB Lubricants focused on sustainability and minimising its carbon footprint

Gateshead-based GB Lubricants, which has been blending and supplying high-quality oils since 1877, has become a global pioneer in the industry for its focus on sustainability and minimising the company’s environmental impact.

In 2024, the company achieved the EcoVadis platinum award for sustainability for the second year running, maintaining its place in the elite top one per cent of companies that are evaluated from the industry worldwide.

GB Lubricants’ long-term goal is to further reduce its carbon footprint and improve the sustainability of all its operations and across its supply chain. This flows from raw material supply and product manufacturing through to transportation and customer service, all underpinned by the EcoVadis rating.

“Our customers are increasingly interested and focused on sustainability,” explains Amanda Byrne, the company’s Regional Sales and Marketing Manager. “They like to know they are doing business with a company that truly cares about sustainability and the environment as much as themselves.

“Our long-term goal is to be as sustainable as possible in our purchasing of raw materials, manufacture of products and delivery of finished goods, aiming to achieve net carbon-zero manufacturing by 2030.”

As part of GB Lubricants’ ongoing commitment to sustainable lubricant and oil production, the company has launched a new range of 25 litre packaging that incorporates 35% recycled plastic.

The new generation of striking green coloured packaging was initially introduced to in the company’s chainsaw oil range and is now being extended to the whole range of 25 litre containers.

“Sustainability plays a major part in who we are and what we do,” adds Amanda. “By launching recycled packaging, we have listened to our customers’ needs and wants and engaged with them.

“Now talking to a wider audience, we can demonstrate just how GB Lubricants understands the demands of customers everywhere, and that we will go that extra mile to help.”

GB Lubricants’ success over its long history has been built on a solid foundation of quality manufacturing processes, continual product innovation and excellent customer service.

Evolution over the years to meet the needs of customers and the planet has made the forward-thinking company recognisable as a global leader in the industry for sustainability.

To achieve the EcoVadis platinum award last year, the company introduced a series of projects, including minimising waste, investing in a new filling line and becoming the first private company to connect to green electricity and mine water heat provided by an award-winning Gateshead District Energy Scheme.

Ensuring that GB Lubricants continues as a leader in sustainability, Managing Director, Paul Booth joined the UEIL (Union of the European Lubricants Industry) and ATIEL (Technical Association of the European Lubricants Industry) Joint Sustainability Committee.

The joint committee was formed last summer (2024) to address the industry’s critical environmental and legislative challenges, including those posed by the European Green Deal.

The UEIL represents the interests of the lubricants industry in Europe, focusing on small and medium enterprises and independent companies producing lubricants and metal processing fluids essential for the automotive and industrial sectors.

ATIEL is a non-profit association representing the combined knowledge and experience of leading European and international engine oil manufacturers and marketers.

Paul, who is also a Board Member of the United Kingdom Lubricants Association (UKLA), explains why he has joined the committee and why improving sustainability and minimising its carbon footprint are so important to GB Lubricants.

“It has been a great privilege to be part of the ATIEL & UEIL Joint Sustainability Committee. Collaborating with this group of talented people from across our industry demonstrates the dedication to driving sustainable practices within the global lubricants industry. I’m proud that GB Lubricants can be a voice for progress, as the company continues to take big strides on its sustainability journey” Paul concludes.