ALA conference frames lubricants sector’s pivot to EVs, recycling and AI on 3 September

The Australian Lubricant Association has announced its second annual conference for Wednesday 3 September 2025 in Melbourne, positioning the event as a central forum for an industry negotiating technological change, regulatory pressure and new market opportunities. According to the association’s conferences page, the one‑day meeting will be held at the Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne, and the ALA says it expects the follow‑up to build on the momentum of last year’s gathering. Notably, some earlier reports described the date differently; the association’s own listing shows 3 September as a Wednesday. (Editorial note: meeting details and scheduling should be confirmed with the organiser before planning travel.)

The ALA says the 2024 inaugural conference was a turning point for the sector, drawing more than 80 delegates from manufacturers, additives and base‑oil suppliers, distributors, OEMs and regulators for a day of presentations and networking. Industry event listings from last year described a programme that explored regulatory reform, sustainability initiatives and the implications of electrified mobility, underscoring the appetite across the value chain for greater connection and collective problem‑solving.

This year’s programme, as set out by the association, is broad and deliberately practical: sessions will address industry trends, product stewardship for oil, packaging and supply‑chain matters, carbon reporting and emerging technologies including artificial intelligence and immersion cooling. The association positions the conference as a platform for collaboration, exchange and advocacy across the lubricant value chain and is offering registration and sponsorship packages for companies at every point in that chain.

Those agenda choices reflect substantial structural shifts in demand and product development. Analysis by sector publications observes that electric vehicles reduce demand for conventional engine oils even as they create new needs for gear oils, thermal management fluids, specialised greases and lubricants tailored to electric drivetrains. At the same time, market research signals a complex picture for global lubricants: automotive applications remain a large segment but growth will be shaped by synthetic and bio‑based formulations, regional demand patterns and regulatory drivers that push manufacturers towards sustainability and product stewardship.

Regulatory and stewardship frameworks are already shaping commercial incentives. The Australian Government’s Product Stewardship for Oil scheme incentivises collection and re‑refining of used lubricating oil through a levy‑funded benefits system, and government data show that re‑refined base‑oil volumes have risen substantially over recent years. The ATO administers benefits and guidance for businesses seeking to participate in the programme; together these arrangements are intended to strengthen recycling markets and encourage circular‑economy outcomes in the sector — precisely the kinds of policy developments that conference sessions on product stewardship and carbon reporting will need to address.

The ALA stresses that the conference is intended for the whole industry — not only large manufacturers — and encourages attendance from those involved in formulation, application, distribution, testing and regulation across automotive, industrial, marine, agricultural and commercial sectors. The association is offering opportunities for sponsors, and provides contact details for registration and membership queries; prospective delegates are advised to contact the organiser directly to check tickets, sponsorship packages and any programme updates.

For an industry facing the twin challenges of adapting to an energy transition and meeting evolving regulatory and sustainability expectations, the ALA’s second conference will be an early‑season marker of how participants intend to respond. Whether companies focus on reformulation, recycling and product stewardship, or on capturing new speciality markets created by electrification and digitalisation, the forum aims to surface practical responses and collaborations. Attendees should expect a programme that blends technical detail with policy and commercial discussion — and organisers say the aim is to leave the sector better connected and more future‑ready.