BEARING WORLD 2026: Two Days of Innovation, Knowledge Exchange, and Networking
Wherever there is motion, there are bearings. Often hidden from view, rolling and plain bearings are fundamental to performance, efficiency, and reliability in countless applications. On 17–18 June 2026, BEARING WORLD brought this essential technology into the spotlight. For the first time, the conference took place in Dresden under the leadership of the new Chairmen of the Board, Prof. Max Marian and Prof. Oliver Koch. The conference welcomed 215 participants from 16 countries, bringing together familiar faces from the global bearing community as well as attracting new participants from industry and research.
The program featured four keynote presentations that provided in-depth perspectives on current developments in bearing technology and its applications. These included contributions from Annika Ölme (SKF) on intelligent and clean solutions, Dr.-Ing. Franz Völkel (Schaeffler Technologies) on lifecycle-oriented approaches for improved reliability and extended bearing life, Dennis Labisch (FUCHS LUBRICANTS GERMANY) on the transformation from regulation to innovation in roller bearing lubricants, and Dr.-Ing. Vladimir Vesselinov (European Patent Office) on the evolution of bearing technology from a patent perspective.
In addition, 40 technical talks addressed key topics such as high-speed applications, materials and lubrication, dynamic and electrical effects, as well as monitoring technologies and sustainability. The technical exhibition brought together 25 exhibitors from industry and research, showcasing the latest products, solutions, and technologies.
Another highlight was the conference dinner on the banks of the Elbe. With perfect summer weather and views of Dresden's skyline, participants enjoyed an evening of informal networking, culminating in an unforgettable fire show that provided a memorable close to the first day of the conference.
We would like to thank all speakers for their valuable contributions to the technical program, as well as all exhibitors for showcasing their expertise and innovations. A special thank you goes to our sponsors, whose support made BEARING WORLD 2026 possible:
Gold sponsors: Schaeffler and SKF
Bronze sponsors: FUCHS and Umbra
We look forward to seeing you again at BEARING WORLD 2028. Until then, let's keep the world of bearings rolling.
Also worth reading: event recaps of SKF and UmbraGroup.
