Global bearing and rotating technology specialist, SKF, is proud to announce the launch of its remanufacturing website – https://remanufacturing.skf.com/. The objective of this innovative, user-friendly website is to provide customers with an easy and interactive way to gain greater knowledge about how SKF’s specialist remanufacturing capabilities extend the service life of industrial bearings, reduce costs, and lessen the impact on the environment.

SKF specialists are also available online to discuss customers’ needs and give advice on how bearings can be restored to like-new quality in line with industry standards. SKF has made the website available to interested parties as an on-line, one-stop research shop for companies that are considering choosing remanufacturing as part of their business models.

Historically, cost was the overriding factor for companies choosing remanufactured bearings over new ones. However, over the past two years, SKF is seeing that the decision by organisations to opt for bearing remanufacture is being driven by environmental considerations as this practice supports their strategies focused on sustainable production processes. This has resulted in a rapid growth in sales for remanufactured bearings.

Consumers are also increasingly demanding that the items they buy or use in their own production processes have minimal impact on the environment. As part of the global move towards a circular economy, SKF is developing solutions across its product, system, technology, engineering and service portfolio to assist customers in achieving their economic and environmental sustainability goals.

The remanufacturing process kicks off when SKF specialists conduct a thorough analysis of bearings to determine the damage done by for example, wear, high temperatures, incorrect lubrication or rust. The appropriate remanufacturing steps are then taken to restore bearings to their original performance level, with SKF-guaranteed quality. 

SKF’s capabilities extend to the remanufacture of bearings to a new or higher specification and to meet application-specific requirements. This can include enhancements of the original product, such as adding special coatings, improved sealing solutions or lubrication.

Bearing remanufacturing offers significant economic as well as green advantages for customers. Instead of being replaced, remanufactured bearings are given a new life and are reused, delivering immense cost savings and environmental benefits. In addition to a reduction in lead times, operational costs, material and energy consumption, bearing service life and subsequently machine uptime are boosted, optimising production for end-customers. If a bearing needs replacing due to a breakdown and it is not in stock, remanufacture is one of the fastest ways to get it back into production, keeping downtime to the absolute minimum.

SKF’s remanufactured bearings and units conform to the same geometric, form and quality specifications as new SKF bearings and units. In fact, SKF applies the same standards, equipment, quality assurance, knowledge and competences in the remanufacturing process that are applied in the manufacture of new bearings. The warranty offered by SKF on remanufactured components bear testament to the high quality and reliability of these products.

SKF is increasingly focusing on the remanufacture of industrial bearing used in industries such as metals; mining, mineral processing and cement; renewable and traditional energy, and pulp & paper.