SKF launches The Patent Bay, a platform for sharing technologies that could reduce environmental impact

SKF is launching The Patent Bay, a new platform open to companies that aim to accelerate technologies with the potential to advance sustainability, by making selected patents freely available to others.   Throughout history, progress has been driven by the desire to make knowledge and important inventions accessible to more people. From decisions to release the three-point seatbelt freely and save millions of lives, to the moment when the World Wide Web was opened to everyone. And most recently whenvaccine technology was shared to meet a global crisis. “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”, says Rickard Gustafson, CEO of SKF.  The launch comes at a time when global patent filings are at an all-time high. 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 strong innovation climate, it also highlights the growing challenge of access 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, says Rickard Gustafson.   The first patent released on 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 door to further innovation, where efficiency and sustainability are key”, says Arnaud Ruellan, Technology Innovation Manager at SKF.