The pulp and paper industry, essential for making various products, relies on complex and energy-intensive machinery. Maintaining the smooth functioning of this equipment is crucial for success, especially in a market with economic instability and strict regulations.

SKF steps in here to help. Armed with skilled professionals and predictive maintenance services, it prepares customers for machine failures in advance, minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous operation.

Digital Transformation for Greater Productivity

It provides game-changing maintenance services through wireless monitoring sensors. These tools gather the status data of machines with factors like vibrations and heat before transmitting the information in real time to the cloud.

“Our customers get immediate insights into the condition of their critical equipment, making digital data management more efficient and improving the overall maintenance experience,” says Ahmad Fairuzi, Regional Segment Development Manager of SKF Industrial Indonesia.

The integrated solutions for equipment monitoring are tailored to meet specific needs. Collaborating closely with clients, SKF determines which machinery should undergo full digitalization while still allowing manual monitoring for less critical equipment. Digitalization is an invaluable tool, providing the data and insights necessary to fully understand the condition of the equipment and execute the required maintenance.

SKF encourages its distributors to implement inventory management systems. This aligns with the growing customer demand for online purchase systems, streamlining the purchasing process.

Driving People, Reliability, and Sustainability

It addresses three key aspects—people, reliability, and sustainability—for its pulp and paper customers in Indonesia.

As the pulp and paper industry faces challenges in attracting new talent due to its perceived drawbacks, SKF focuses on developing and retaining skilled personnel. This initiative is crucial for sustaining industry knowledge and expertise.

SKF enhances machine reliability by modernizing aging equipment. This aids in improving productivity, aligning with Indonesia’s Industry 4.0 initiative. Additionally, SKF supports sustainability by helping customers reduce carbon emissions, contributing to environmentally friendly manufacturing.

Collaboration with paper machine makers helps connect the gap between OEMs and equipment users. By working together, SKF, as experts in rotating equipment, digitalization, and lubrication, ensures that customer needs are met effectively.

These three pillars—people and knowledge development, reliability and sustainability, and collaboration with machine makers—form the core of SKF Industrial Indonesia’s strategy to distinguish itself from competitors in the pulp and paper industry in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

Reimagining Rotation for a Better Tomorrow

SKF’s sustainability efforts are centered around reconditioned oil manufacturing and remanufacturing centers, which are geared to facilitate better customer service and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

The sustainable lubrication practices, using reconditioned oil, are highly regarded by the Indonesian pulp and paper industry. About 90 percent of businesses rely on its lubrication systems to keep machines running smoothly. Proper lubrication increases machine reliability, reducing breakdowns and bearing wear. SKF’s lubrication systems have effectively cut the likelihood of bearing failures by 50 percent, leading to fewer unexpected shutdowns and longer-lasting bearings, ultimately boosting plant reliability.

The sustainable bearing remanufacturing services offered by SKF are added value for clients, especially those emphasizing environmental responsibility. It has established remanufacturing centers, like the one in Indonesia, where customers can revitalize their old bearings instead of disposing of them. However, not all bearings can be remanufactured, and certain conditions apply. It seamlessly addresses the need for specialized bearing solutions for pulp and paper mills operating in harsh conditions. The sealed spherical roller bearings (SRBs) come equipped with effective sealing mechanisms that act as a robust barrier against environmental conditions. They are valuable for paper machines operating in wet environments and wood yards, where protection against wood bark and chips is essential.

Our customers get immediate insights into the condition of their critical equipment, making digital data management more efficient and improving the overall maintenance experience

SKF’s CARB toroidal roller bearings are built for the high-speed and high load demands of modern paper machines. These patented bearings have become a standard choice in dryer section bearing arrangements and in packaging paper production, replacing traditional spherical roller bearings specifically in front-side applications.

As more and more companies seek to reduce their carbon footprint, SKF promotes environmentally friendly practices, fostering a greener approach.

One of the success stories born from this noble approach is SKF’s partnership with one major player of pulp and paper business in Indonesia. It has helped with reducing carbon emissions, cut maintenance costs, and boosted operational efficiency in its pulp and paper manufacturing. The collaboration led to the launch of a remanufacturing facility in 2022, significantly reducing carbon emissions. Remanufactured bearings also reduced delivery times from 7-12 months to less than a month, earning SKF praise on customer positive feedback.

Similarly, SKF is driving success for many companies across Asia, enhancing plant reliability, optimizing equipment, reducing costs, and promoting sustainability that surpasses industry needs.

It certainly upholds its bold statement of purpose: “Together we reimagine rotation for a better tomorrow.”