Development Background

Dr. Lou Honary is an entrepreneur, professor emeritus, and founder of the University of Northern Iowa’s National Agriculture-Based Lubricants (NABL) Center. He is the inventor of several biobased lubricants and grease products, and a patented microwave process for cooking grease.

Read on to learn more about the invention of microwaves in grease processing and discover how wave-based technology is superior to conventional methods: faster cook speed, energy efficient, safety gains.

In 2000, Honary and the University of Northern Iowa’s (UNI) Research Foundation formed Environmental Lubricants Manufacturing (ELM), Inc. to commercialize biodegradable, biobased-greases and lubricants. The company grew rapidly selling biobased greases to railroads and other industries. In 2007, ELM appeared in Inc. magazine’s annual “Inc. 500” list ranking as the 470th fastest growing privately held company. Later that year, a devastating heat transfer oil fire in the ELM grease plant led to another invention by Lou Honary: a patented microwave process for cooking greases. Since 2010, Honary has been an advocate for the use of microwaves in industrial processing and ELM has produced millions of pounds of grease using microwaves.

In 2019, Honary launched WAVEtek Process Technology, LLC to manufacture turnkey microwave-based food processing systems. The following year, Patterson Industries Canada, a division of All-Weld Industries, is given exclusive worldwide commercialization rights to microwave processing technology.

In 2021, a similar heat transfer oil-related fire at Chemtool, the largest grease manufacturing plant in the US, destroyed the plant. The Chemtool fire validated the value of Honary’s microwave-based method and generated interest in wave-based processes.

WAVEtek acquired a 75,000 sq-ft facility in Grundy Center, Iowa, to manufacture turnkey microwave-based food processing systems in 2023. We provide expertise to food and pharmaceutical companies looking to convert heat transfer oil or steam heated processes to this innovative patented microwave process.

DEVELOPMENT: A TIMELINE

2000: Honary and the UNI Research Foundation form ELM, Inc. to commercialize biobased-greases and lubricants.
2007: ELM appears in Inc. magazine’s annual “Inc. 500” list as the 470th fastest growing privately held company.
Late 2007: A heat transfer oil fire in the ELM grease plant leads Honary to invent a patented microwave process for cooking greases.
2010: Honary pioneers microwave-based processing; ELM produces millions of pounds of grease using microwaves.
2019: Honary launches WAVEtek Process, LLC.
2020: Patterson Industries Canada secures exclusive rights to commercialize microwave processing technology.
2021: A 6-alarm fire at Chemtool destroys the plant; buoying the value of Honary’s patented process fueling interest in microwave processes.
2021: Honary launches WAVEtek Process Technology, LLC.
2023: WAVEtek buys a 75,000 sq-ft facility to manufacture turnkey microwave-based food processing systems.

Wtek’s five standard systems and immersive training workshops offer practical on-the-job experience to ensure safe and efficient industry implementation.

To preview WAVEtek’s Five Standard Systems go to the Products link on the toolbar.

To learn more about microwave wave-based technology go to the Blog link on the toolbar.