WEG and SpinDrive entered a partnership to introduce advanced electric motor systems that operate without oil. Announced at Hannover Messe 2026, the collaboration brings together SpinDrive’s active magnetic bearing technology with WEG’s motor portfolio.
This joint effort aims to deliver a new generation of electric drives designed for industrial environments where efficiency and reliability are critical. By removing the need for lubrication systems, these motors significantly reduce maintenance requirements while enabling continuous performance monitoring through embedded IoT capabilities.
The technology allows motors to run at higher speeds and achieve greater power density, resulting in more compact equipment with a smaller physical footprint — an advantage for modern facilities with space constraints. These systems are particularly suited for industries where contamination risks, harsh operating conditions, or strict efficiency standards make traditional bearing systems less viable.
Other leading manufacturers of magnetic bearings include Waukesha Magnetic Bearings, SKF, Synchrony and Siemens
The transition to oil-free and grease-free motor systems presents a future challenge for the grease industry, as active magnetic bearings remove the need for conventional lubricants and directly reduce demand in industrial motor applications. With systems requiring little to no maintenance, traditional lubrication replacement cycles decline, affecting aftermarket sales.
In response, grease suppliers may need to shift toward specialized niches where magnetic bearings are less practical, such as extreme load conditions or legacy equipment, while also exploring opportunities in hybrid systems that still require advanced or longer-life lubricants. Geographically, adoption is expected to accelerate in regions with strong decarbonization policies — particularly in Europe and parts of Asia— further driving localized declines in lubricant demand.
They’re not without their drawbacks, however. Generally higher initial cost compared with traditional bearings and active bearings that require continuous power supply currently limit their universal application.