In a precision manufacturing laboratory in Germany, engineers are testing a magnetic levitation bearing system. It operates with almost zero wear at a speed of 30000 rpm and will provide the “joints” for the flying car to be mass-produced in 2026.
Although small, bearings are the “joints” of the industrial world. As the innovation engine of global bearing technology, Europe is redefining the boundaries of high-end manufacturing through a series of breakthrough technologies. From high-speed motors to flying cars, from intelligent spindles to industrial robots, European manufacturers are proving that true innovation often lies in the invisible details.
01 Intelligent fusion, sensor technology reshapes bearing functions
European bearing manufacturers have transformed ordinary mechanical parts into intelligent sensing units. The new high-speed spindle bearing system developed in collaboration between SKF and DMG Senjing Machinery can real-time detect important operating parameters such as load, speed, temperature, and vibration while maintaining traditional bearing design dimensions.
This intelligent integration has not had any impact on the compactness and structural rigidity of the equipment, but has brought unprecedented process control accuracy to the machine tool. By utilizing these advanced technologies, Demagi Sen Precision Machinery has improved its lubrication management system, enhanced the durability and stability of spindle bearings, to support more precise machining demands.
02 Material Revolution, Ceramics and Coatings Breakthrough Performance Limits
Material innovation is the core of technological progress in European bearings. The Ultra series ultra high speed precision ceramic bearings launched by SKF in 2025 have a speed of up to 15000 revolutions per minute but a temperature rise of less than 15 degrees Celsius.
This bearing is produced by a fully automated production line, with precision significantly ahead of P4 level, even better than P2 level precision, and a stiffness of at least 150 N/micron. Ceramic bearings not only increase the speed limit, but also solve the problem of electromagnetic interference – FAG’s customized hybrid ceramic bearings for 800V high-voltage motors increase the speed to 25000rpm while reducing electromagnetic interference by 80%.
In terms of coating technology, FAG is developing graphene coated bearings with a friction coefficient that can be reduced to 0.001, and it is expected to be mass-produced by 2028. The shape memory alloy bearings, which cooperate with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, can maintain accuracy in extreme environments ranging from -200 ℃ to 500 ℃, providing possibilities for future flying cars and polar research vehicles.
03 Green transformation, sustainable development becomes the core strategy
The innovation of European bearing manufacturers is not only about performance, but also delves into the field of environmental protection. SKF’s explosion-proof RecondOil oil recycler has nanometer level precision filtration capability, which can remove sludge, paint film, and moisture, improve sustainability, and reduce oil costs.
The circular economy model has also become an important direction. After laser cladding repair, the performance of retired FAG bearings can be restored to 90% of the new ones, but the cost is only 40%. Combined with the rare earth recycling technology developed by Greenmei, the rare earth recovery rate in motor bearings exceeds 98%.
The Taicang factory has achieved 100% green electricity production, and its bearing products have obtained international sustainable development certification, which has been favored by EU customers. In the supply chain of FAW Hongqi, FAG’s “carbon footprint calculator” can reduce the carbon emissions of the entire vehicle by 18%, meeting the strict environmental regulations of the European Union.
04 Industry customization, targeted solutions to create value
European manufacturers are well aware of the special needs of different industries and have launched a series of targeted solutions:
The upgraded metallurgical rolling mill bearings released by SKF in 2025 have a 20% increase in load-bearing capacity and optimized material processes with stronger corrosion resistance, saving rolling mill users 7 tons of steel rolling costs.
In response to the high humidity environment in the paper industry, SKF has applied wind power surface treatment technology for the first time in the paper industry, significantly reducing the possibility of static corrosion (90% reduction in 3-5 years), while improving lubrication characteristics and reducing wear.
For the robotics industry, SKF has developed a dedicated high-speed seal that uses a combination design to effectively prevent internal wear and contamination of the gearbox from entering the sealing area. At the same time, the waveform lip main seal improves pumping and sealing capabilities, reducing friction by 30% and increasing pumping capacity by 2 times.
05 Automotive Revolution, Redefining Future Mobility
In the automotive field, European bearing innovation is particularly active. FAG’s high-precision angular contact ball bearings can achieve a control accuracy of 0.05 °, significantly reducing the “virtual position” of traditional steering.
Its “dual redundancy” design ensures safety – in case of a problem with the main bearing, the spare bearing can last for 30 minutes, enough for the driver to drive to the repair station 5.
In the field of electric vehicles, FAG’s cylindrical roller bearings achieve a transmission efficiency of 97.8% and a 30% reduction in energy consumption per kilometer by optimizing the contact angle between the rollers and the ribs. For car owners, this means that with the same battery capacity, they can run dozens of kilometers more.
For hydrogen powered vehicles, FAG has developed metal bipolar plate bearings for fuel cells, with a thickness controlled at 50-100 microns (equivalent to the diameter of several strands of hair), which can withstand 1000 hours of corrosion testing, making it possible to run 800 kilometers on a single hydrogen refueling.
06 Industry university research collaboration, innovative ecosystem advantages
The innovation capability of European bearing manufacturers is built on a strong industry university research collaborative ecosystem. The largest research and development center built by NSK outside of Japan is located in China, covering all industrial sectors. NSK has 6 regional headquarters, 67 factories, 21 research and development centers, 105 sales outlets, and 7 offices in 32 countries (including Japan) and regions worldwide, totaling 205 locations.
The EU’s policy support has also promoted innovation. The EU Competitiveness Guide establishes competitiveness as one of the core principles of EU action and sets out the policy changes needed to accelerate the development of the EU economy. The EU has also launched the “Start up and Growth Enterprise Strategy” to improve industry university research relationships and promote patent commercialization.
SKF holds an annual innovation summit and new product launch event, gathering industry leaders and technical elites from fields such as papermaking, metallurgy, machine tools, and mining to explore the path of transformation and breakthrough in the manufacturing industry.
07 Digital Empowerment, Intelligent Prediction and Maintenance
Digital technology has enabled European bearing manufacturers to transform from product suppliers to solution providers.
FAG’s BEARINX ® The platform is like a ‘bearing doctor’, monitoring 12 indicators such as temperature and vibration in real-time through sensors. In NIO’s battery swapping station, this system has achieved a 3-month advance warning of bearing fatigue cracks, reducing maintenance costs by 50%.
SKF’s upgraded version of vibration application specific spherical roller bearings, with upgraded wear-resistant rings, has doubled its wear resistance compared to the previous generation, and the occurrence time of peeling has been extended by 5 times, greatly improving the product’s service life by 7.
The equipped sealed bearing version can reduce lubricant consumption by about 90%, further reducing operation and maintenance costs. This digital empowerment not only improves product performance, but also creates new service and business models.
Walking in SKF’s innovation center in Germany, engineers are testing the next generation of graphene coated bearings. A friction coefficient of 0.001 will be another performance leap, and it is expected to be mass-produced by 2028.
In the adjacent laboratory, shape memory alloy bearings, in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, maintain astonishing precision in extreme environments ranging from -200 ℃ to 500 ℃. These innovations will soon be applied to flying cars and polar research vehicles.
European bearing manufacturers are proving that true industrial innovation is not a grand revolution, but a quiet evolution – hidden in the continuous optimization of every tiny “joint”, ultimately converging into a huge progress of the entire industrial system.
