SKF Launches ‘The Patent Bay’ to Share Green Technologies and Accelerate Sustainability

Mumbai, November 05, 2025: SKF has announced the launch of The Patent Bay, a new open-access platform designed to make selected patents freely available to companies and innovators developing technologies that can advance sustainability and reduce environmental impact.

The platform aims to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing across industries by allowing access to innovations that can help accelerate the transition to cleaner, more efficient technologies.

“Innovation is essential for a sustainable future, and history shows that real breakthroughs happen when we share. The Patent Bay is our way of unlocking that potential—creating ripple effects across industries and society,” said Rickard Gustafson, CEO of SKF.

The initiative comes at a time when global patent filings have reached record levels. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization, 3.55 million patent applications were filed globally in 2023—more than double the number in 1995. While this reflects a healthy innovation ecosystem, it also highlights the growing challenge of accessibility and collaboration.

“In today’s complex world, openness and collaboration are more important than ever. At SKF, we believe that sharing is part of the solution. Through The Patent Bay, we want to inspire others to do the same—because real change is created together,” Gustafson added.

The first patent released through the platform is a high-performance bearing alloy developed for the aviation industry.

“This new bearing material can handle higher loads in a more compact form, enabling high-performance bearing solutions for new architectures of engines designed to reduce emissions by up to 25 percent. The same technology opens doors to further innovation, where efficiency and sustainability are key,” said Arnaud Ruellan, Technology Innovation Manager at SKF.

The Patent Bay is now live and accessible to companies and innovators committed to developing sustainable technologies. SKF hopes that this move will encourage greater industry-wide collaboration in developing solutions that address climate challenges.

Since 1907, SKF has been developing innovative bearings, seals, lubrication systems, condition monitoring solutions, and services aimed at reducing friction and improving industrial efficiency. With operations in around 130 countries, over 17,000 distributor locations, and 38,743 employees, SKF reported annual sales of SEK 98,722 million in 2024.