From Durban to Stockholm – Leadership, Curiosity and the Frontier of Change with Rene Abrahams

On this episode of Beyond the Blend, Steve Knapp sits down with René Abrahams, Technical Marketing Development Manager at Perstorp Group. What unfolds is far more than a career journey through lubricants. It is a story of growing up in apartheid South Africa, entering the oil industry during democratic transition, navigating culture and identity across continents, and helping shape the future of sustainable fluids.

René’s journey is anchored in three evolving themes: freedom, change and peace. From union wage negotiations at 23 to representing Sweden in IEC committees, she embodies technical depth, commercial awareness and purposeful leadership.

Below are the themes that shaped this powerful conversation.