SKF's 9 Factories Slash 95% Emissions, Leading Global Green Revolution

In a heartwarming demonstration of corporate commitment to our planet's future, industrial manufacturing company SKF has successfully verified nine of its global factories as fully decarbonized sites, marking a significant milestone in the fight against climate change.

The achievement is nothing short of remarkable. These nine facilities, spanning across Malaysia, Mexico, India, Italy, the United States, Austria, Spain, and Sweden, have each reduced their emissions by at least 95% compared to 2019 levels. Even more impressive is that these dramatic environmental improvements came alongside increased production output, proving that sustainability and productivity can flourish together.

Sofie Runius Cederberg, Head of Sustainability at SKF, radiates pride when discussing the accomplishment. "We are proud to see six additional decarbonised SKF factories, representing an important step in our overall net zero journey," she shares. "By reducing the carbon footprint of our products, we are also enabling our customers to develop sustainable solutions as well as supporting society in the transition to a more sustainable future."

The journey to decarbonization wasn't accidental. Each factory followed a carefully crafted roadmap tailored to its specific needs and challenges. The company invested in cutting-edge energy efficient technologies, including state-of-the-art heat pumps and advanced chillers. These investments not only slashed energy consumption but also enhanced the factories' operational capabilities, creating a win-win scenario that benefits both the business and the environment.

What makes this achievement even more significant is the scale of impact. These nine decarbonized facilities collectively represent nearly 20% of SKF's baseline manufacturing emissions, creating a substantial dent in the company's overall carbon footprint. But the leadership team isn't stopping there.

Susanne Larsson, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer at SKF, emphasizes the forward-thinking nature of their investments. "Climate change is a global challenge and this achievement reflects our commitment to climate action and operational excellence," she explains. "By investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency and innovative solutions, we are also increasing our own resilience by lowering our energy demand."

The Ripple Effect

The transformation of these factories creates waves of positive change that extend far beyond SKF's own operations. As one of the first industrial companies to receive validation from the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi), SKF is setting a powerful example for manufacturers worldwide.

Their approach is comprehensive and collaborative. By creating products that are lighter, more efficient, longer lasting, and repairable, they're helping their customers achieve their own sustainability goals. This ripple effect multiplies the environmental benefits exponentially across entire supply chains.

Rob Jenkinson, Net Zero Manager at SKF, captures the inspiring ambition driving the company forward. "Achieving our net zero goal by 2050 is ambitious, but also needed to speed up both innovation and change in society," he says. "To do this we need to continue working with all stakeholders involved, to not just be a part of creating the change in our own operations but going further by calling for change along the entire supply chain."

The company's targets align with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C objective, with a science-based commitment to reach net zero emissions across its entire supply chain by 2050 and operational decarbonization by 2030. This timeline demonstrates that meaningful climate action in heavy industry isn't just possible, it's happening right now, and the results are truly inspiring.