At a time when the world is looking to limit its energy usage and impact on the climate, pressure is mounting on industry worldwide to reduce its overall environmental impact, writes Alan Stewart, bearing product manager, SKF Products. 

The products and services we produce need to be sustainable; they need to be produced through economically-sound processes that minimise negative environmental impacts while conserving energy and natural resources.

Individual bearings use relatively little energy, but as they are in such widespread use and are also one of the most frequently replaced components, the sustainability of the bearings you use matters. By applying the 3 Rs waste hierarchy – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – to bearings, we can make a genuine difference.

Reduce

Is it possible to reduce the number of bearings used? Well, you can’t simply not use a bearing where one is required, but by extending their life you can reduce the total number of bearings used during that machine’s lifespan.

To ensure longevity, select the right bearing for the task at hand. There’s an incredibly wide range to choose from, many of which have been designed for specific applications and industries, so do your homework or ask for advice on the bearing best suited to your specific needs.

Not only should the bearing be the right type, but it should also be of a good quality. Opting for a low cost, unrecognisable brand not only risks premature failure and costly downtime, but it may also lose performance over time which almost always results in wasted energy as most systems keep drawing power despite the drop or lack of output.

Ensuring the product is correctly fitted also has a part to play. Misalignment can lead to friction and vibration which can significantly increase energy consumption, plus the risk of premature failures. Alignment tools are readily available which allow you to increase machine reliability through easy to use and accurate alignment. 

Other options include selecting products that don’t require realignment, such as SKF Cooper Split Spherical Roller Bearings that do not require the drive coupling or the cantilevered drive to be dismounted to replace the bearing; these bearing types are easily and safely replaced in situ.

Reducing lubrication usage is also an important consideration. By opting for sealed, re-lubrication free bearings you can not only significantly reduce the amount of lubrication used, but also prevent lubricants from contaminating waste water and remove the need for cleaning rags and paper towels. Alternatively, automated lubrication systems can be installed to ensure the correct amount of lubrication is applied, reducing wastage.

Reuse

When it comes to Reuse, you may be surprised to hear that bearings can be remanufactured, which can significantly prolong bearing service life, as well as reduce cost and lead times. A large variety of bearing types can be remanufactured, including backing bearings, caster bearings, large sized bearings, slewing bearings and housings.  Bearing remanufacturing can significantly reduce carbon emissions, consuming around 10% of the energy of making a new one. By extending bearing service, remanufacturing avoids the scrapping of components and wasteful use of natural resources.

In addition to bearings remanufacture, lubricants can also be reused in some cases. SKF’s RecondOil, for example, removes contaminants from used oils, and returns them to a cleaner, usable and high-grade state.  Compared to a traditional, linear use, regenerating the oils allows for a significant decrease of CO2 emissions.

Recycle

Whilst the amount of steel per bearing is on the decline due to better bearing design and more efficient manufacturing methods, that steel still has a value as scrap. Not all bearings are easy to recycle though and normally only parts of them can be recycled. Check with the manufacturer.

Beyond the Product

The 3Rs are a good starting point to help improve the sustainability of your bearings usage, but you can’t apply sustainability to the product in isolation. It’s important to take into account every aspect surrounding that product, including the manufacturer and its suppliers and distributors. 

Sustainability should encompass the use of raw materials; the manufacturer’s factory processes and utilisation of those materials; the amount and type of energy used to make the bearings; distribution and transportation. 

Does the manufacturer deploy the IS0 14001 Environmental Management System and the ISO 50001 Energy Management system across all of its sites, for example?

Reducing wastage when it comes to bearings is not only good for the planet, but makes good business sense. A bearing that performs well over a long period of time is a bearing that won’t slow your machinery down and won’t lead to expensive unplanned maintenance and downtime. Applying the 3 Rs to bearings is a good investment in the future, whichever way you look at it.

Brammer Buck & Hickman, a Rubix Group company, is an authorised bearings distributor, selling over 100 million bearings annually.