SKF is hosting its annual virtual Tech & Innovation Summit 2026, bringing together industry leaders, engineers, and technology experts to discuss solutions designed to improve energy efficiency, reliability, and operational performance across modern industrial applications. Held under the theme “Closing the Energy Efficiency Gap,” the summit highlights how industries can move from energy-efficiency ambitions to measurable operational outcomes through advanced technologies, digital intelligence, and application-focused engineering solutions. The event focuses on sectors experiencing rapid transformation due to electrification, automation, digitalisation, and increasing energy demands, including data centres, industrial electric motors, mining, pulp and paper, and heavy industrial operations.
Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO of SKF, said industries worldwide are facing growing pressure to improve productivity while reducing energy consumption and operational losses. “Closing the energy efficiency gap is essential for sustainable industrial growth. Through advanced technologies and deep application expertise, SKF continues to help customers reduce friction, improve uptime, and strengthen operational competitiveness while supporting long-term sustainability goals,” he said.
Among the technologies showcased at the summit are SKF’s magnetic bearing solutions for data centre cooling systems. The high-speed motor technology enables friction-free and oil-free operation for centrifugal chillers, helping improve cooling efficiency in facilities where cooling systems account for a significant portion of overall energy use. The solution also supports rapid system restart following power interruptions and reduces operational noise levels.
SKF is also presenting its advanced hybrid ceramic bearing technology for industrial electric motors. Designed for next-generation IE4 and IE5 motors, the solution helps eliminate electrical erosion, extends grease life, reduces friction, and supports higher operating speeds, enabling more efficient and compact motor designs.
Another major focus area is digital condition monitoring through SKF Aptitude Insight, a scalable platform that connects operational and information technology environments. The platform combines monitoring, diagnostics, edge analytics, and AI-enabled insights to help industries improve maintenance planning and operational reliability. The summit also highlights SKF’s remanufacturing capabilities, which restore bearings to original performance standards while significantly reducing material consumption, lead times, and carbon emissions compared to manufacturing new components.
Additionally, SKF demonstrated its AI-powered Product Assistant developed for the pulp and paper industry. The solution provides maintenance teams and engineers with fast access to product and application knowledge, supporting quicker decision-making and improved operational productivity.
SKF stated that the summit reflects the company’s continued focus on combining technology leadership with customer-centric innovation to support more efficient, resilient, and sustainable industrial operations worldwide. SKF develops bearings, seals, lubrication systems, digital technologies, and industrial solutions designed to improve reliability, reduce friction, and increase energy efficiency across industrial operations worldwide.
