Industry study looks ahead to 2025
By Edward P. Salek, CAE, Executive Director | TLT Headquarters Report November 2022
Reducing carbon footprint tops the list of four trends.
STLE is engaged in a research study examining the professional needs and interests of lubrication and tribology professionals. Information gained from this study will help support society leadership to update and enhance the current strategic plan, located at
www.stle.org/StrategicPlan, in 2023.
Phase one of the work was completed this summer. It involved in-depth interviews with seven current and former STLE members conducted by STLE’s consulting partner Association Management Center (AMC) Consulting Services. These individuals, who were from both industry and the scientific community, talked about the value of STLE and the forces that will affect the organization in the future.
Phase two reached out to 2,700 members and nonmembers with questions about their reasons for becoming an STLE member, satisfaction and engagement with STLE and trends that will impact the field over the next three to five years. Respondents to this survey also provided feedback on tools and resources that STLE offers or might provide to meet member needs, enhance value and increase engagement.
The full study report is due later this month, with the information then presented to STLE’s Board of Directors in early 2023. Preliminary results available now include insights into the trends tribology and lubrication professionals see affecting the field over the next three years. At the top of the list are efforts to reduce the carbon footprint and availability of raw materials.
On carbon reduction, electric vehicles (EVs) figured prominently in the conversations about future factors. Interviewees see the push toward EVs impacting lubricant market dynamics and changing the focus of tribology research and applications as the shift from internal combustion engines to EVs proceeds.
Interviewees with a scientific background suggested that there is a need to build more awareness for the field of tribology. Right now, the educational pathway is limited, and like many engineering specialties, individuals acquire knowledge on the job or through training programs offered by professional organizations like STLE.
Supply chain issues also were seen by many interviewees as a challenge, citing lack of availability of raw materials as a particular headache. It also was suggested that supply chain issues will impact brand loyalty. According to one of the interview subjects, “If your go-to source doesn’t have product, you’ll look elsewhere.”
More in-depth information about supply chain disruptions and other topics will be part of another research project, the STLE 2023 Report on Emerging Issues and Trends in Tribology and Engineering. This study is based on interviews with leading experts from the lubricants and tribology field but also reaches outside the industry for perspectives on topics including sustainability, alternative energy sources and artificial intelligence and machine learning.
The 2023 report is due for release in May of next year. Copies of the 2020 version of the report are available at
www.stle.org. Members can download a free digital copy, and the nonmember digital price is $75.
You can reach Certified Association Executive Ed Salek at esalek@stle.org.