Minimac Systems, a Pune startup specializing in lubricant lifecycle management, has raised ₹30 crore led by Zerodha’s investment arm Rainmatter to advance its fluid-treatment innovation and scale recycling services nationwide.
- Raised ₹30 Cr led by Zerodha's Rainmatter
- Focus on miniaturized treatment and onsite recycling
- Aims to cut carbon emissions by 860 gigagrams by 2034
What happened
Minimac Systems, founded in 2012 by IIM Indore alumnus Anshuman Agrawal, announced a ₹30 crore ($3.2 million) funding round led by Rainmatter, the investment arm of Zerodha. The fresh capital will be utilized to scale the startup’s lubricant recycling and circularity infrastructure across India, focusing on the development of miniaturized fluid-treatment systems, fleet automation, and advanced fluid analytics.
The startup operates a unique ‘Recycling on Wheels’ model that deploys mobile lubricant treatment systems directly at industrial sites. This approach allows companies to restore lubricant quality onsite, reducing the need to transport used oil to centralized facilities. Minimac has already installed more than 2,500 fluid-treatment units and serviced over 2,200 industrial assets, including major Indian corporations like NTPC, Adani Power, JSW Steel, and Reliance Industries.
Why it matters
India is the third-largest global market for lubricants, consuming over 5 million tonnes annually, yet it imports more than 60% of its base oil, creating a $2.7 billion import dependency. Minimac’s technologies contribute to reducing this reliance by enhancing lubricant reuse and recovery, supporting industrial sustainability and self-reliance.
Additionally, by extending lubricant life and minimizing waste, Minimac aims to significantly reduce environmental impacts. The company estimates its efforts will help abate 860 gigagrams of CO2 equivalent emissions by 2034. This aligns with broader corporate and national carbon reduction goals while supporting circular economy initiatives in the industrial sector.
What to watch next
Minimac plans to expand its footprint of doorstep lubricant recycling services further across India’s industrial hubs while advancing R&D in fluid treatment technology and automation. Monitoring the startup's technology adoption among large industrial clients will be critical to assess its scalability and impact on lubricant circularity.
Industry observers should also watch how Minimac addresses the growing lubricant demand, forecasted to increase 4-5% annually over the next five years, and how its innovations could influence import dependencies and emissions in one of the world’s largest lubricant markets.