SKF has announced the opening of its new state-of-the-art Ceramic Process Laboratory (C-Pro Lab) at its R&D Centre in Houten, The Netherlands. This capability strengthens SKF’s technology leadership across the complete ceramic manufacturing value chain, from raw material powder processing to high-performance component engineering, boosting the global adoption of advanced hybrid bearing technology.
As industries transition toward electrification and higher energy efficiency, demand for hybrid ceramic bearings is accelerating rapidly. By combining high-grade steel rings with silicon nitride rolling elements, hybrid bearings offer superior electrical insulation, lower weight, and reduced friction compared to traditional all-steel alternatives.
“Ceramic and hybrid bearing technologies are essential enablers for clean and reliable rotation in next-generation industrial electrical applications. The C-Pro Lab enables full mastery over the end-to-end ceramic process. This allows us to innovate faster, optimize material performance, and accelerate the commercialization of high-performance hybrid solutions for our customers globally”, says Annika Ölme, CTO and Senior Vice President, Technology Development.
The C-Pro Lab serves as a global competence centre within SKF’s research and technology development organization enabling end-to-end optimization of ceramic technology. By bringing powder formulation, compaction, sintering, and surface finishing all together, SKF researchers can rapidly prototype new material compositions, optimize microstructures, and enhance process efficiency for high-volume manufacturing.
Hybrid ceramic bearings play a vital role in solving critical operational challenges across rapidly expanding sectors, including industrial automation, aerospace, and high-speed machinery. Driven by global demand for electrification, higher energy efficiency, and operational reliability, these sectors increasingly rely on ceramic technology to prevent electrical erosion in high-speed electric motors, cut friction by up to 50%, and deliver extreme-temperature reliability in demanding environments.
The official opening brought together customers from key industries, including railway, aerospace and drives, alongside other key stakeholders and H.E. Julius Liljeström, Swedish Ambassador of the Netherlands, highlighting the importance of close customer collaboration in advancing industrial innovation and sustainable technology.
Photo/SKF
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