OilDoc at the world’s leading tribology conference
The prestigious STLE Annual Meeting & Exhibition took place in New Orleans from 17 to 21 May 2026 – one of the most important international conferences on tribology and lubrication technology. The event at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans brought together leading experts, academics and practitioners from around the world. With over 400 technical presentations across 26 different specialist areas, the conference provided a unique platform for the exchange of knowledge and innovation.
For OilDoc, taking part in this high-profile event was not only an opportunity to showcase our expertise, but also to forge key contacts and experience the latest industry developments first-hand. The topics covered ranged from electric mobility and lubricating greases to metalworking fluids, sustainability, energy generation and hydraulics. Particularly impressive were the in-depth panel discussions, poster sessions and the Commercial Marketing Forum, which facilitated professional exchange at the highest level.
Rüdiger Krethe impresses with his expert presentation on Hot Varnish
A particular highlight of the conference was the presentation given by our Managing Director, Rüdiger Krethe, on condition monitoring. In a presentation entitled “Hot Varnish in Turbomachinery Bearings – Early Detection Through Oil Analysis”, he outlined practical solutions to one of the most pressing issues in turbomachinery maintenance.
Hot varnish – the build-up of varnish-like deposits in the bearings of turbomachinery – can lead to significant operational disruptions and costly breakdowns. In his highly acclaimed presentation, Rüdiger Krethe demonstrated how targeted oil analysis can identify this issue at an early stage, long before any damage occurs to the machinery. His in-depth insights and the practical applicability of the methods presented met with great interest among the international trade visitors and led to numerous lively discussions afterwards.
The positive response to the presentation once again highlights OilDoc’s leading role in the field of condition-based maintenance and oil analysis. It was an honour to share our expertise with the international tribology community and thereby contribute to the further development of the industry.
Steffen Bots takes over as President of the STLE
There was a very special cause for celebration on 19 May 2026: Steffen Bots, Vice President of Global Sales & R&D at ADDINOL Lube Oil GmbH, officially took up his post as President of the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) for the 2026–2027 term.
For OilDoc, this appointment is a source of great pride, as Steffen Bots has close ties to our company not only through his wife, Petra Bots (Managing Director of OELCHECK GmbH), but also through his own professional background.
Steffen Bots has worked for many years in various roles at OELCHECK, where he gained valuable experience in the oil and lubricants industry. Particularly memorable was the close, almost family-like collaboration with Rüdiger Krethe, from whom he acquired the foundations of his extensive knowledge of lubricants, oil analysis and condition monitoring.
This time spent together has not only had a significant influence on Steffen’s career, but has also forged a lasting bond between ADDINOL, OELCHECK and OilDoc.
As President of the STLE, Steffen Bots will focus on education, international cooperation and greater involvement of OEMs and end users. With his technical expertise, visionary leadership and deep commitment to the tribology community, he is the ideal candidate for this important role. Rebecca Lintow, Executive Director of the STLE, paid tribute to Steffen’s long-standing commitment and his passion for promoting tribology and lubrication technology.
Steffen Bots has been a member of the STLE since 2010 and has been volunteering there since 2014. He was a member of various certification committees and chaired the Oil Monitoring Analyst Committee from 2017 to 2018. His international experience and his network, which spans over 120 countries, make him a strong voice for the global tribology community.
We would like to offer our warmest congratulations to Steffen and are proud to be part of this great tribology family!
STLE is supporting the OilDoc Conference 2027
The STLE Annual Meeting was not only an opportunity to celebrate and network, but also to plan future collaborations. We are particularly pleased to announce that the STLE has confirmed its support for the next OilDoc conference, which will take place from 15 to 17 June 2027.
As part of this collaboration, there will be a dedicated STLE lecture track at the OilDoc conference. This is an exceptional opportunity to bring international expertise to Germany and to foster professional exchange between European and North American experts. The partnership underscores the growing importance of the OilDoc conference as a key platform for condition monitoring, oil analysis and tribology in German-speaking countries and beyond.
For all participants at the OilDoc Conference 2027, this means access to top-class presentations, the latest research findings and best practices from the international STLE community. We are confident that this partnership will take the OilDoc conference to new heights, and we look forward to working with the STLE to put together an outstanding programme.
Conclusion: The STLE Annual Meeting 2026 in New Orleans was a great success for OilDoc in many respects. From Rüdiger Krethes’s acclaimed presentation on the appointment of Steffen Bots as STLE President to the agreement to collaborate in 2027 – this conference has further strengthened our position within the international tribology community.
We are proud to be part of this wonderful professional community and look forward to the projects and challenges ahead.