Biobased lubricants manufacturer Environmental Lubricants Manufacturing, Inc. recently announced that Dr. Lou A. T. Honary, Professor and Director emeritus at UNI-NABL Center has joined the ELM leadership team serving full time as Chairman and President.

Dr. Honary joined the University of Northern Iowa faculty in 1982 and later founded the National Ag-Based Lubricant Center (UNI-NABL) in 1991. The Center concluded its work in 2013 where over 40 industrial lubricants and greases were developed and commercialized. ELM was founded by Dr. Honary and the University Research Foundation in 2000. Dr. Honary is an internationally recognized expert in research, development and commercialization of biobased, biodegradable & renewable lubricants & greases made from vegetable oils (primary soybean oils).

"This is an exciting opportunity for me to continue working with our team commercializing biobased greases and lubricants," said Honary. "ELM has maintained a strong presence as an innovative industry leader and I look forward reconnecting with the many colleagues and associates I've come to know over the years."

Mohammad (Moe) Souri, PhD joins ELM as the new Deputy Chief Technology Officer. Dr. Souri is mechanical engineer responsible for technical services and quality assurance. He brings a wealth of technical expertise and attention to production consistency of lubricants and greases. Mentored by professor Honary, Dr. Souri has developed expertise in the use of microwaves for manufacturing biobased greases. He is responsible for all production and technical operation of ELM.

ELM is a privately owned Iowa corporation with its offices and manufacturing plant in Grundy Center, Iowa. The company was formed in 2000 with a primary focus of manufacturing biobased lubricants. ELM is the only known company in the United States that utilizes microwave based processing technology with savings that has allowed biobased greases to achieve price parity with petroleum products.