After COP30 - SKF brings industry together to accelerate sustainable transformation

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GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a successful participation at the UN Climate Conference COP30 in Belém, Brazil, where SKF's circular technologies and remanufacturing solutions were recognized as winners of SBCOP's Best Cases, SKF is now taking the next step to accelerate industrial transformation.

On 3-4 December, leading stakeholders from industry, academia and finance will gather in Gothenburg, Sweden, for the inaugural SKF Friction Fighting Summit. SKF has initiated this event to move the dialogue forward from COP30 towards concrete action.

The Friction Fighting Summit is designed to address the barriers that slow down sustainable innovation – not only mechanical friction, but also the friction embedded in business models, incentive structures and decision-making processes. With a focus on scaling proven solutions such as remanufacturing, RecondOil and energy-efficient technologies, the summit aims to act as a catalyst for commercializing sustainability and strengthening Europe's strategic autonomy.

"COP30 demonstrated that collaboration is essential for climate transition. Now it's time to move from words to action. The Friction Fighting Summit brings together the players who can turn ambition into real change," says David Johansson, President Industrial Region Europe & Africa.

From COP30 to Gothenburg: building on proven progress

At COP30, SKF showcased scalable solutions that contribute to net-zero emissions, including:

• Remanufacturing of roller bearings, which helped avoid 15,600 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions in 2024 alone^[1].
• RecondOil technology, enabling circular use of industrial oil.
• Magnetic and ceramic technologies for energy-efficient HVAC systems and heat pumps.
• Tidal power drivetrains.
• Internal decarbonization programmes.

SKF's remanufacturing solution won SBCOP's Best Cases award, highlighting its leadership in sustainable innovation. At COP30, SKF also joined LeadIT, a global initiative driving heavy industry toward net-zero emissions. Additionally, SKF has also launched The Patent Bay, an open platform that shares selected patents to speed up sustainability-focused technologies.

"We know technology exists. What's missing are systematic measures and business models that reward sustainability. The Friction Fighting Summit is a bold initiative to actively drive this development," says Vanja Winblad, Sustainability Director, Industrial Region Europe & Africa.

Event details: Friction Fighting Summit
Date: 3-4 December 2025
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Participants: Industrial leaders, policymakers, academics and investors from across the Nordics and Europe
Purpose: To accelerate industrial transformation through collaboration, knowledge exchange and the commercialization of circular solutions

^[1] Approximately 4.5 million kg steel was reused globally in 2024. With a global SKF average CO₂e of 3.6 CO₂e per kg of newly produced bearing steel minus 0.135 kg CO₂e related to ReMan Operation Service Level 3, means that 15.6 million kg CO₂e was avoided.

Aktiebolaget SKF
      (publ)

For further information, please contact:
Gösta Andersson: PR & Communication Europe & Africa: e-mail: [email protected] 
Karin Markhede: PR Lead SKF Group, e-mail: [email protected] 

Confirmed speakers at the SKF Friction Fighting Summit 2025:
Anna Ryott, Chief Impact Officer, EY
Annika Ölme, CTO, SKF
Carina Halvord, CEO, Universeum
David Johansson, President Industrial Region Europe & Africa, SKF
Eija Pitkänen, Member of the Board at Metsä Group
Erich Labuda, President, Motion Services Division, ABB
Håkan Buskhe, CEO, FAM AB
Andréa Haag; Vice President Sustainability Munters
Johnny Sjöström, CEO, SSAB
Lars Danielsson, Senior Advisor and former EU Ambassador
Lisa Lindström, Business Reinvention Leader
Martin Nilsson Jacobi, CEO, Chalmers
Mattias Frumerie, Climate Ambassador and Head of Delegation to UNFCCC at Swedish Ministry of Climate and Enterprise
Niko Pakalén, Partner, Cevian Capital
Rickard Gustafsson, CEO, SKF
Rob Anthony, SVP Global Supply Chain, Kongsberg Maritime
Åsa Persson, Chair of the Swedish Climate Policy Council & Strategic Advisor & Researcher, KTH
Tom Erixon, President and CEO, Alfa Laval
Pia Lindström, Hållbarhetschef LKAB
Frank Koch, CEO Swiss Steel
Klas Nilsson, Head of strategic & Operational Procurement, Stegra,
Martin Edlund, CEO Minesto
Jarmo Valtokari, Maintenance Director, SSAB

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SOURCE SKF