In a bold step toward fostering open innovation and advancing global sustainability, SKF has unveiled “The Patent Bay” — a pioneering platform that makes selected patents freely available to organizations aiming to develop technologies for a more sustainable future.
Throughout history, major breakthroughs have often come from the decision to share knowledge freely — from Volvo’s release of the three-point seatbelt that saved millions of lives, to the open access of the World Wide Web, and most recently, the global sharing of vaccine technology during the pandemic. SKF’s initiative builds on this legacy of openness, encouraging cross-industry collaboration to tackle today’s most pressing challenges.
“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,” said Rickard Gustafson, CEO of SKF.
The launch comes at a time when global patent activity is at a record high. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), over 3.55 million patent applications were filed worldwide in 2023 — more than double the number in 1995. While this signals a thriving innovation ecosystem, it also underscores growing challenges around accessibility, collaboration, and equitable technological advancement.
“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,” Gustafson added.
The first patent released under The Patent Bay initiative is a high-performance bearing alloy originally 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 engine architectures designed to reduce emissions by up to 25 percent. The same technology opens the door to further innovation, where efficiency and sustainability are key,” said Arnaud Ruellan, Technology Innovation Manager at SKF.
With The Patent Bay, SKF aims to build a community of innovators and partners who believe in shared progress. By opening access to selected technologies, the company hopes to accelerate the development of next-generation sustainable solutions across multiple industries — from aviation to renewable energy and beyond.
