In an interview with «Report.Az», Kalin Runtev — CEO of the Azerbaijan–Bulgaria joint venture «Caspian Lubricants Recycling» provided detailed information about our project.
«If the plant is launched in November-December this year, as planned, at the next stage, we will provide the production with green electricity, and then we will start producing green hydrogen. It will be used as fuel and as raw material for the production of base oils of the second».
Kalin Runtev said that at the first stage, «Caspian Lubricants Recycling» plans to process up to 24,000 tons of waste oils per year — hazardous waste according to the classification of the Basel Convention.
«The main product is Group I base oil, which has not previously been produced in Azerbaijan. The plant will be the first in the Caspian region to meet environmental standards adopted in preparation for the COP29 summit. It is planned to produce up to 18,000 tons of oils and 2,000-3,000 tons of bitumen (road, insulation, asphalt) from the processed waste».
He noted that Azerbaijan annually consumes more than 40,000 tons of base oil: «This is a very interesting market, and we plan to sell at least half of the volume on the domestic market, as well as export products to Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, in connection with which preliminary agreements have already been reached. Turkey is also considered a huge market, consuming more than 450,000 tons of oil per year».
The project received strategic support at the level of the heads of state of Azerbaijan and Bulgaria. «Caspian Lubricants Recycling» is a resident of the Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park under the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, which provides access to the necessary infrastructure, communications, consultations and preferential financial mechanisms.
«Azerbaijan is an oasis of stability with a high standard of living and investment support. The population understands the importance of environmental responsibility. Recognition of the project as strategic increases our confidence in its successful implementation».
Reference: «Report Information Agency» LLC, August 2025. https://report.az/en/energy/azerbaijan-s-sumgayit-plans-to-launch-production-of-green-hydrogen/. Accessed at 08 August 2025.
