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Late last month, Sweden-based SKF announced that its automotive bearing factory in Tudela, Spain, has become the group's second manufacturing site to achieve carbon-neutral status. Together with the Steyr factory in Austria, which manufactures a range of bearings for industrial uses, the two factories have reduced their combined annual CO2 emissions by some 22,000 tons.

SKF said the reduction in CO2 emissions has been achieved by a combination of investments in process improvement, energy-efficient machinery, solar panels, and procurement of renewable electricity. At both Steyr and Tudela, approximately 500 tons of CO2 emissions per year from heating facilities are being compensated for by Gold Standard carbon offsets.

“The world does not face many more urgent issues than that of climate change and everything we can do to mitigate this is important,” said Bernd Stephan, SKF president of automotive and aerospace. “I believe the achievement of our teams in Tudela and Steyr are significant and something to be proud of. Investments have of course been made in this regard, but the main reason this has been achieved is the focus and commitment of our colleagues."

SKF said its climate objectives focus on reducing emissions across the company’s entire value chain. With 2015 as the base year, SKF aims to reduce its CO2 emissions from manufacturing per ton of sold bearings by 40% by 2025. As per the end of 2019, approximately 36% has been achieved, putting the group well ahead of that target.

“Being able to offer our customers products that have been manufactured in a carbon-neutral factory sets us apart from the rest,” commented SKF Tudela factory manager Julian Jimenaz. “Our achievements in Tudela are thanks to improvements in processes and investments in energy-efficient machines and solar panels. A cultural change has also taken place, with everyone in the factory actively working to reduce their use of natural resources.”

In addition to investments in energy-efficient factories and solar panels, SKF currently sources roughly 50% of its total electricity consumption from renewable sources. SKF was one of the first companies to achieve certification to the ISO 50001 energy management standard on a global basis and is also working with suppliers to drive energy efficiency and reduced CO2 throughout the supply chain.