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SKF has developed the first spherical roller bearings for the food and beverage industry. By adhering to food safety standards, the bearing contributes to reduced risk of food contamination, increased machine reliability and longer maintenance intervals. The bearing, equipped with food-grade grease and seals, is said to prolong the service life on average three times compared to SKF's open bearing. Benjamin Geiser, application specific offer manager at SKF, said: “This new spherical roller bearing with food-grade grease and integral seal from SKF helps increase both machine performance and hygiene standards". According to the company, using the bearing contributes to enhanced sustainability "in several ways". Its low-friction seal reduces energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Additionally, the extended lifespan reduces the frequency of replacements, thereby decreasing the demand for raw materials, manufacturing and transport. Furthermore, the "virtually non-existent grease leakage" eliminates the need for repurchasing, relubrication and final disposal. The bearing comes pre-filled with NSF category H1 grease, which is optimised for food industry use. It features a high-performance nitrile butadiene rubber contact seal that is both FDA- and EC-approved, protecting against water, detergent and contaminants. This minimises the risk of grease leakage from the bearing, resulting in reduced relubrication needs and improved bearing performance and service life. It is made of "high-fatigue-resistant" steel, enhancing dynamic load-carrying capacity while decreasing vibration and heat generation. The spherical roller bearings extend service life by up to three times compared to open bearings. In addition, SKF said that the blue colour of the seal makes it easier to detect fragments in case they enter the food.