SKF is seeing rapid double-digit growth for bearing remanufacturing services compared to two years ago. The main reason for choosing remanufactured bearings over new ones has historically been cost but this has changed as companies seek more sustainable production processes to support a circular economy.

Gothenburg, 2022-03-18: Remanufacturing bearing units increases the usability of the bearings and delivers significant environmental benefits. The carbon footprint of a remanufactured bearing can be up to 90% less than a new one, depending on the amount of remanufacturing required, and the process consumes up to 90% less energy.

SKF provides remanufacturing services for bearings as part of the offer of a trouble-free rotating shaft. Hannes Leopoldseder, from the SKF remanufacturing unit in Steyr, Austria, says: “Double-digit growth for our remanufacturing services is coming from all major industries such as metals, pulp and paper, mining and energy across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.”

Although energy and material efficiency are obvious, the cost benefits have previously been crucial in the decision for most customers choosing to remanufacture bearings. This has changed. As a result of the 2016 Paris Climate Agreement, many countries' ambitions to accelerate incentives for a circular economy, are showing tangible results in the market. More companies are reviewing how their entire supply chain can help reduce their overall impact on the climate. The need to change from a linear to a more circular economy is significant.

"The focus on sustainability has increased significantly, both among large and small companies. We are receiving more questions from customers about sustainable services such as remanufacturing as part of the need to maintain a sustainable operation in the production facility”, says Hannes Leopoldseder.

Janne Westerlund, Head of Engineering, Services & Solutions for the Swedish industrial market, says: “We are identifying great business opportunities in industrial markets. Combining sustainable products and services in a cohesive offer to reduce the impact on the environment is increasingly requested by our customers. This is evidenced by a rapid growth in sales for remanufactured bearings over the last two years.

Quadrupled sales

In 2020, SKF in Sweden invested in the Circular Economy Center concept. A local unit enabling circular solutions close to the customers with a capacity of remanufacturing 13,000 bearings per year.

Focusing, not only in remanufacturing of bearings, but importantly remanufacturing of bearing units, bearing housings, sealings and lubrication management. Sales have quadrupled in two years and demand continues to increase.

“The SKF Circular Economy Center offers customers a comprehensive service where we quantify both green value, such as reduced energy consumption, CO2 impact and reduced lubricant consumption, together with economic value, such as increased production and reduced costs. To support this, we have developed calculation models that show how many kilos of CO2 emissions the customer can avoid by becoming a partner with SKF,” says Janne Westerlund.

Today SKF has more than 15 remanufacturing centers globally.