Episode 27: Dr. Selim Erhan on growth opportunities for vegetable oil-based process oils

Selim Erhan has a Ph.D. in Organic-Polymer Chemistry from Western Michigan University. He started his career as a research scientist at the National Center for Agricultural Research Service of the U.S, Department of Agriculture (USDA). At USDA, he worked on finding industrial applications for vegetable oils in areas such as rubber, paper, agricultural sprays, pharmaceuticals, food, lubricant, and oil field applications.

Later, he moved into industry and worked as a research scientist formulating lubricants at D. A. Stuart Company, Georgia Pacific, Polartech, Afton, Elevance Renewable Sciences and worked on finished metalworking formulations, additive packages for metalworking fluids, oil field drilling products, cleaners, and lubricant formulations. Then, he worked at Archer Daniels Midland Company, following market development for vegetable oils as the global commercial development manager for Industrial Oils.

Currently, Dr. Erhan is the director of Technical Business Development at Process Oils Inc., an Ergon company,  focusing on using the advantages of vegetable oils and derivatives in industrial applications. 

In this episode of F+L Webcast, Dr. Erhan discusses growth areas for vegetable oil-based process oils, which are being driven by society’s desire for more sustainable products.