SKF will bring together industry experts, technology leaders and customers at its annual virtual Tech & Innovation Summit 2026 to demonstrate how advanced engineering solutions can help industries bridge the energy efficiency gap and achieve measurable operational improvements. Held under the theme “Closing the Energy Efficiency Gap,” the summit will focus on practical technologies and applications that enable organizations to improve equipment performance, reduce energy consumption and enhance reliability across industrial operations. The event will highlight innovations supporting data centres, electric motors, heavy industries, digitally connected facilities and circular manufacturing practices.
As industries continue to navigate rapid electrification, digital transformation and the expansion of energy-intensive infrastructure, improving energy efficiency has become a strategic priority. Businesses are increasingly looking for solutions that can translate sustainability objectives into tangible operational outcomes while maintaining productivity and competitiveness.
SKF will showcase a range of technologies designed to address these challenges. Among the featured innovations are magnetic bearing solutions for data centre cooling systems, where energy consumption associated with thermal management can account for a significant share of overall facility demand. The technology enables friction-free and oil-free operation, helping operators maximize uptime, improve efficiency and reduce maintenance requirements.
The company will also present hybrid ceramic bearing solutions developed for next-generation IE4 and IE5 industrial electric motors. These bearings are designed to eliminate electrical erosion, extend lubricant life and support higher operating speeds while contributing to more compact and energy-efficient motor designs.
Digitalization will be another key focus area. SKF’s Aptitude Insight platform provides a unified condition-monitoring environment that connects operational and information technology systems. The platform combines advanced diagnostics, analytics and AI-ready capabilities to help organizations monitor equipment health, optimize maintenance strategies and improve decision-making.
Circularity and resource efficiency will also feature prominently during the summit. SKF’s bearing remanufacturing services restore components to original performance specifications while significantly reducing material use, energy consumption and carbon emissions compared with manufacturing new products. The approach helps customers extend asset life while advancing sustainability objectives.
In addition, SKF will demonstrate how artificial intelligence is being applied within the pulp and paper industry through its Product Assistant solution. The AI-powered tool provides maintenance teams and engineers with immediate access to product and application knowledge, helping streamline decision-making and improve operational efficiency.
According to SKF, the technologies being showcased represent a combination of engineering expertise, digital intelligence and application-focused innovation. Together, they help customers reduce friction, lower energy losses and improve operational performance across a broad range of industries. The Tech & Innovation Summit 2026 will be held virtually on June 18, with live sessions available across multiple global regions. A recorded version of the event will also be available for on-demand viewing following the summit.
SKF is a global technology company with a heritage dating back to 1907, delivering advanced bearings, seals, lubrication systems, condition monitoring technologies, and engineering services to industries worldwide. By helping customers reduce friction, SKF enables improved equipment performance, lower energy consumption, and greater operational efficiency. The company’s solutions support industries in enhancing productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability while advancing smarter and more resource-efficient operations. SKF has a presence in approximately 130 countries and operates through a worldwide network of around 17,000 distributor locations. In 2025, the company reported annual sales of SEK 91.6 billion and employed approximately 37,300 people globally.
