OilDoc Varnish-Symposium 2026

Review of two intensive days focusing on varnish and deposits

At 10. and 11. March 2026 the OilDoc Academy in Brannenburg focused entirely on varnish and deposits in lubricating oil and hydraulic systems.

With participants from various industries, international speakers and strong partners, the OilDoc Varnish Symposium 2026 offered a unique platform for knowledge transfer, exchange of experiences and networking.

Focus topic: Varnish – causes, consequences, solutions

Varnish and deposits are increasingly posing major challenges for operators of plants, turbines, hydraulic and lubricating oil systems:

• loss of performance and reduced efficiency
• component malfunctions and failures
• increasing maintenance costs
• reduced oil and equipment service life

The symposium therefore focused on questions such as:

• How do varnish and deposits form in different applications?
• What diagnostic options and monitoring methods are state of the art today?
• What strategies and technologies help to prevent or specifically remove varnish?

Current findings from research, development and application were presented in lectures, practical reports and discussion rounds – always with a clear practical relevance.

We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to all the speakers who contributed significantly to the success of the symposium with their expertise, practical examples and open discussion.

THOMAS BERGMANN
Senior Lubes Field Engineer
ExxonMobil

DR. MARKUS GREBE
Head of Competence Centre
Tribologie Mannheim

International expertise & strong partnerships

The symposium was co-organised by experts from industry, laboratories and plant operations. Thanks to the participation of our partners Fluitec and OELCHECK GmbH, topics such as varnish diagnostics, oil analysis, additive technology and filtration and treatment solutions were examined from a variety of perspectives.

Participants benefited from:

• well-founded specialist presentations on causal mechanisms and tribochemistry
• Best practice examples from power stations, industrial plants and hydraulics
• Insights into current standards, trends and future developments

The open exchange between speakers and participants was particularly valuable – ranging from specific damage cases to strategies for long-term reliable plant availability.

Professional exchange on equal terms

The programme was deliberately designed to leave sufficient time for discussions and personal conversations. During the breaks and question-and-answer sessions at the end of each session, participants took the opportunity to

• discuss your own questions with experts,
• Discussing solutions to specific plant problems and
• make new contacts in a highly specialised field.

A lot of feedback emphasised the added value of bringing together different perspectives – from plant operators to lubricant suppliers to laboratories – in one place.

Evening event in Rosenheim – brewing culture, networking & enjoyment

A special highlight of the symposium was the evening event on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, in Rosenheim. After an intensive first day of events, we travelled from the OilDoc Academy in Brannenburg to Rosenheim.

The programme included:

• a tour of Flötzinger Bräu, Rosenheim’s traditional brewery, including fascinating insights into the art of brewing and a beer tasting with selected specialities,
• This was followed by a cosy dinner at Flötzinger Bräustüberl with Bavarian cuisine and traditional music.

There was another special highlight during the evening:
In a prize draw, three specialist books were given away. The lucky winners were delighted. A special moment: one winner had her copy signed by the author Rüdiger Krethe himself.

In a relaxed atmosphere, there were many in-depth discussions, new contacts and the occasional exchange of experiences ‘between the brewing kettle and the regulars’ table’. The feedback from participants clearly showed that this combination of a specialist programme and a convivial setting contributes significantly to the quality of the symposium.

Laboratory tour at OELCHECK – a look behind the scenes of oil analysis

At the end of the symposium, participants had the opportunity to visit OELCHECK, Europe’s leading laboratory for oil, lubricant and operating fluid analysis. Rüdiger Krethe, Carsten Heine and Matthias Assmann led the visitors through the various laboratory areas in three groups and gave clear explanations of the connections between the laboratory tests carried out.

This highlighted how closely precise oil analysis, condition monitoring and the successful handling of varnish and deposits are linked. The laboratory tour offered practical insights into measurement methods, evaluation concepts and diagnostic options, rounding off the symposium with a clear view of analytical practice.

Comments from participants

The feedback on the OilDoc Varnish Symposium 2026 was overwhelmingly positive. Particular emphasis was placed on:

• the high level of technical depth and practical relevance of the contributions,
• the balanced mix of theory, practical examples and discussion,
• the compact but intensive programme structure,
• the excellent networking opportunities – especially at the evening event.

Many participants took away concrete ideas and measures for addressing varnish issues in their own areas of responsibility in a more targeted manner – from optimising monitoring strategies to adapting maintenance and oil analysis concepts.

outlook

The OilDoc Varnish Symposium 2026 once again demonstrated the importance of focused exchange on the specialised topic of varnish and deposits. The high level of participation and positive feedback encourage us to continue offering events on highly relevant specialist topics in lubrication technology and condition monitoring in the future.

We would like to thank all participants and speakers – with special thanks to our partners Fluitec and OELCHECK GmbH – for their contribution to the success of the symposium.

Further information on upcoming events and specialist seminars offered by the OilDoc Academy can be found on our website.