TLT: What is your professional background in order to gain a foothold in the lubricants industry?
Mayer: Naturally, my chemistry background initially provided me with a solid foundational understanding of the various common types of oils and greases. For example, I was able to quickly grasp the processes involved in the production of a polyurethane-based grease. Additionally, my research experience at the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability (LBF) significantly facilitated my technical entry into the lubricants field.

During my doctoral work, I focused intensively on the additive formulation and stabilization of conventional commodity plastics such as polypropylene, as well as biobased polyesters like polylactic acid (PLA). In doing so, I discovered numerous parallels and intersections between the additive strategies and aging behavior of many plastics and lubricants. There are also notable similarities in their rheological properties. Nevertheless, the most important takeaway from both my academic studies and doctoral research was to remain curious and open to new topics.

TLT: What was your contribution at the postgraduate level? 
Mayer: As part of my doctoral research, I focused on the development of novel biobased stabilizers for plastics. This involved modifying known biogenic building blocks to make them suitable for use in polymer systems, incorporating them into various plastic matrices and evaluating the performance of these stabilizer systems.

When I started working at LUBCON in 2023 as a development chemist, I was still actively involved in hands-on laboratory and pilot-scale work, developing new lubricant formulations for high-performance applications. These early experiences were extremely valuable in helping me understand the wide range of processing options available in grease and oil development.

For example, using rolling technologies as a super-finishing method opens up numerous possibilities—particularly in the field of low-noise greases.



TLT: How did you get started in the lubrication and oil analysis field?
Mayer: Considering that I was a complete newcomer to the lubricants industry, I’m truly grateful to LUBCON for guiding me through the onboarding process and providing me with the opportunity for intensive theoretical and practical training. During my first weeks, I worked in our quality assurance department, where I became familiar with all the standard analytical methods used in oil and grease analysis.

In addition, training sessions gave me a solid theoretical foundation in lubricant analytics and helped me gain an initial overview of applications which span diverse sectors such as food processing, aviation and rail transport.

TLT: What specifically do you do as a research and development team lead and head of laboratory? Please describe some of your day-to-day activities.
Mayer: One of our daily responsibilities in research and development is production support, particularly when it comes to the introduction of new products. Our team relies on strong cross-department collaboration and clear communication, enabling us to move quickly and adapt efficiently.

In addition, I regularly coordinate and discuss the progress of our research projects with the laboratory team. Together, we monitor and maintain our oil and grease formulations to ensure they consistently meet high quality standards.

TLT: What is the No. 1 piece of advice you would give to a young person who might be interested in starting a career in the lubricants industry?
Mayer: One of the most exciting and fascinating aspects of the lubricant industry, in my opinion, is its interdisciplinary nature. You find yourself working across a wide range of scientific fields, including chemistry, materials science and mechanical engineering. As a newcomer, it’s nearly impossible to master all of these areas right away, which is why my most important piece of advice would be to stay open-minded and eager to learn. I would also strongly recommend that anyone new to the field take the time to explore the theoretical foundations of tribology, as it is essential to get real understanding of lubricant function. This knowledge is critical for tailoring lubricant formulations to meet the specific demands of different applications.

TLT: What are some of the most technical lubrication-based concepts or topics you have encountered throughout your career?
Mayer: Generally I focus on topics such as additive synergisms and antagonisms, as well as the interactions between lubricants and the materials to be lubricated. Recently, I have been intensively engaged in the development and analysis of electrically conductive, low-noise lubricants to prevent electrical discharges and electroerosion in bearings. 

Finally, I have recently focused intensively on lubricants for robotics, which is considered an important future field. 

You can reach Dr. Jannik Mayer at j.mayer@lubcon.com.