New Business Opportunities in the Ceramic Field

Abstract: Engineering ceramics follow a persistent technical evolution with an increasing amount of applications within advanced industrial solutions. As it is a part of the technological progress, it is of importance that SKF maintain an understanding within the area and stay alert with changes in the environment. There are three main deliveries generated from this report; a market scanning of the most interesting components within the field of advanced ceramics, a business evaluation for six products and an in-depth analysis of the best suited component for an immediate business opportunity. Special consideration when searching for the new business opportunities has been taken throughout the report to the collaboration with a manufacturer of advanced ceramics, Keramera. 2 A market scanning has resulted in a database containing around 140 components with useful information for further research. The database can advantageously be used as a tool for market factors, producer information and customer problem/need. A business evaluation is created for the ceramic components: check valve balls for oil production, cam follower rollers for diesel engines, brake discs for train carriages, mechanical face seals used in pumps in the food and paper machine industries, slotted dewatering foils for paper machines and fuel injection for engines with possibilities for SKF to transfer this technology into automatic lubrication systems for bearings. Finally, an in-depth analysis considers check valve balls for sucker rod pumps for oil extraction. We have found that there are good possibilities for SKF to explore this market at low cost and risk, but further knowledge about the market and the application need to be gained. The component is widely used and a ceramic solution is, technically, among the most suitable. Furthermore, we believe that strategic decisions for business development need to be taken. To add more value to today’s core proposition, bearings, both mechanical face seals and brake discs are well in line with SKF’s core business. Further analyses on these applications are recommended.