Welcome, Dr. Nathan Knotts – Senior Formulator and Innovation Scientist

Pendleton, SC – [Date] – VBASE Oil Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Nathan Knotts as Senior Formulator and Innovation Scientist. In this key role, Nathan will join the R&D leadership team to build a library of formulation knowledge around developing lubricants with high-performing VBASE SPE base oils.

Nathan brings more than 15 years of global formulation experience from his tenure at Chevron Lubricants, where he led product line strategies across industrial oils and greases. His deep experience spans product development, tribology, and data-driven performance testing — all critical capabilities as VBASE advances its mission to enable partners to build high-performance lubricant formulations using Secondary Polyol Ester® (SPE®) base oils.

“At VBASE, Nathan will help drive our ‘30-in-3’ initiative, accelerating the connection between formulation chemistry and field performance,” says Dr. Jeff DiMaio, CEO of VBASE Oil Company. “Nathan brings deep expertise in both formulation science and the strategic mindset needed to move the industry forward. His ability to turn data into performance insights will be key to expanding what’s possible with SPE® technology.”

Nathan commented on the move:

“I’m excited to begin this new chapter with VBASE. The chance to work with SPE® base oils and be part of a team committed to moving performance boundaries is very motivating. I look forward to reconnecting with industry colleagues and building new formulations that out-perform legacy systems.”

In his new role, Nathan will lead experimental planning, coordinate lab execution, and help build the digital infrastructure required to scale high-throughput formulation development. He will work across many applications, guiding the translation of lubricant formulation strategy into real-world performance results.

In addition to his industry experience, Nathan has been an active contributor to the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) and ASTM International committees, helping advance standards and knowledge across the lubrication field. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Missouri–Columbia, where his research focused on physical-organic chemistry, reaction mechanisms, and the design of organic crystal structures for non-linear optical applications. Nathan also holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Adams State College.

Please join us in welcoming Nathan to the VBASE team as we continue building the future of high-performance lubrication.

🔗 Learn more about VBASE, our SPE® platform, and career opportunities at VBASE Oil Company: vbaseoil.com