Silvia Fernández: designing the future of lubricants from the Repsol TechLab

When she was a girl, Silvia Fernández was clear where she wanted to work. “Since I was young, I saw this technology center being built and I always wanted to work here,” she recalls about the Repsol TechLab, where today she is Product Design Sr. Scientist in the Lubricants area. Her story, marked by scientific curiosity and interest in sustainability, is an example of how women are leaving their mark in traditionally male sectors.

A chemical engineer specializing in the environment, Silvia complemented her training with a master's degree in renewable energies and a postgraduate in water treatment plants. Although she began her professional career in instrumentation and control, in 2010 she joined the Repsol TechLab's Engines Laboratory. She worked there for almost four years in the development of oils for competition engines, an experience that she describes as key to understanding “the functioning of lubricants in extreme conditions.” Since September 2022, she has been part of the Product Design team.

In her day-to-day, Silvia is involved in projects that seek to respond to the current challenges of the industry. “I would highlight four projects,” she explains. “The development of renewable additives, the development of lubricating oils for competition engines, the study of compatibility of lubricants with new fuels, and the development of simulation models for lubricants of different applications.”

One of the most innovative is the European ZEBRA project (which stands for Zero Emission Biochemical and Renewable Additives),  focused on the validation of a renewable lignin-derived additive of biogenic origin, a by-product of the paper production process. “This additive has antioxidant properties and is being tested by different companies in sectors such as the food, cosmetics, rubber, and, in our case, fuels and lubricants industries,” Silvia tells in detail. 

Another area that takes up a large part of her work is the development of lubricants for competition engines. “We test different formulations in order to improve the performance and durability of lubricating oils,” she comments. When asked about the future of lubricants, Silvia points towards sustainability: “I would highlight the trend towards the use of circular and renewable raw materials, so that we can reduce the carbon footprint of products.” 

Silvia Fernández’s story reflects how passion for science can become a career dedicated to innovation. It also reflects the crucial role of women in research, inspiring new generations to imagine themselves in these labs designing solutions for the world to continue making progress.