TLT: Why did you decide to pursue a career in the lubricants industry, and how long have you worked in a lubrication-related field?
Serra-Holm: It was very much by chance. After I completed my second doctoral degree, I wanted to move to the industry, and at that point I saw an ad in a national newspaper—yes, back then this was how jobs were advertised—about a position at a specialty oil company. The initial role was in product development, but since I liked being in contact with people and I speak several languages, I was soon moved to a customer-facing technical role, focused on the lubricant industry. And here I am, 25 years later, still very passionate about this industry.

TLT: What has been your most fulfilling achievement throughout your career in the lubricants industry with regards to synthetic lubricants?
Serra-Holm: This is an achievement I share with the amazing group of experts I have the privilege to work with. We have embarked on a fantastic and exciting journey, where we are exploring the value that synthetic ester-based chemistry can provide in several applications where thermal management, electrical insulation, product safety and sustainability are key concerns. We have developed some extremely interesting products that I believe will provide great performance in several applications where thermal management is critical—not least electric vehicles (EVs)—and this is what am proudest of.

TLT: What are some of the most intriguing technical lubrication-based ideas and/or themes that you have encountered throughout your eventful career?
Serra-Holm: This is a difficult question. Every time I read about a new idea or concept, I tend to get really intrigued and try to understand more. Lately I have looked with interest at new lubricant blending concepts aimed at saving energy, thereby contributing to a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of lubricant production. Looking forward, I am very curious to see how the Internet of Things (IoT) will support condition monitoring and predictive maintenance, because I think that we have not yet fully explored the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) for our industry.

TLT: What is the one thing you wish you would have learned earlier in your career?
Serra-Holm: I wish I would have learned earlier that setbacks are a great opportunity for learning, and that any results, even those that are not what you wished for or expected, contribute to your development—both on a personal and professional level. So my advice would be to embrace your mistakes, and rather than finding justifications or excuses for them, analyze them, learn from them and implement the learnings in your next plans.

TLT: What is the No. 1 piece of advice that you would give to a person who might be interested in starting a career in the lubricants industry?
Serra-Holm: Firstly I would warmly recommend joining the lubricant industry. Our industry touches so many critical fields of everyday life. Lubricants are a key enabler in every process—if we look around, any object we see and we use requires lubricants for its production. Also, lubricants are essential in supporting the sustainability journey that is key for the future of our planet—not least for their very important contribution to energy efficiency. My advice would be to be curious, to ask questions, to discuss with people and to attend specific courses like the ones arranged by STLE. Unfortunately not many STEM faculties provide a comprehensive background to prepare for a role in this field, so it is essential to continue developing a more specific skill set.

You can reach Valentina Serra-Holm at valentina.serraholm@perstorp.com.