PAYER International Technologies GmbH, headquartered in Styria, Austria, is a leading manufacturer of precision components and devices, particularly for the medical technology and high-end consumer goods sectors. With advanced operations involving injection molding, assembly, and metalworking, the company uses significant quantities of lubricants, hydraulic oils, and cooling fluids. These substances generate hazardous oily waste during equipment maintenance and operations. In line with its EcoVadis Gold sustainability rating and commitment to circular economy practices, PAYER developed a comprehensive solution to reclaim, reuse, and responsibly manage oil-based waste streams. PAYER established a closed-loop oil management program that integrates in-house recovery with external recycling partners. The system operates across three key components: 1. In-House Oil Reclamation Used hydraulic and cutting oils are purified through filtration, centrifugation, and vacuum dehydration. Portable units continuously clean oil reservoirs, removing water, particulates, and chemical degradation products. Oils are regenerated for extended use, often supplemented with additives to restore performance. 2. Oil Collection and Re-refining Once oils reach end-of-life, they are collected in dedicated, contamination-free containers. PAYER partners with licensed re-refining facilities, where used oils undergo vacuum distillation and hydrotreating to become base oils for new lubricants—completing the external circular loop. 3. Oily Residue Management Metal chips and swarf are processed using centrifuges and wringers to extract remaining oil. Cleaned metal scrap is recycled; extracted oil is reused or sent for re-refining. Absorbents, filters, and oily sludges are routed to waste-to-energy recovery under strict controls. This integrated solution allows PAYER to reclaim valuable resources, reduce hazardous waste output, and ensure proper handling of all byproducts.