15.9. 2026
ZKL to unveil new electrical insulation system for demanding applications at InnoTrans
InnoTrans 2026 will take place in Berlin from 22 to 25 September, bringing together the international transport technology industry. ZKL, a Czech manufacturer of advanced rolling and special bearings, will once again be among the exhibitors. At its stand in Hall 23, Booth 920, the company will showcase its portfolio of railway bearings, the new compact CTBU 110×180 bearing unit, solutions for electrical insulation of bearings, and services designed to improve the efficiency of railway vehicle operation and maintenance.
“For us, InnoTrans is above all an opportunity to meet our customers, partners and railway industry experts face to face. This year, we will present several solutions responding to current demands in rail transport – from compact bearing units to protection against electrical currents. Our philosophy is to provide customers with exactly what they need: solutions tailored to their specific application, with proven and consistent quality at a competitive price. We do not want to offer unnecessarily oversized solutions. Instead, we aim to be a reliable partner capable of delivering the optimum balance of technical performance, quality and cost,” says Jiří Prášil, CEO of ZKL.
“Every solution we develop combines our own engineering expertise, manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality. Reliability is critical in railway bearings, which is why we validate new designs, materials and surface technologies through simulations, laboratory testing and operational trials. At InnoTrans, we will present, among other things, the new CTBU 110×180 bearing unit and, as a world premiere, VOLPROTEQ, a controlled insulation system designed to protect bearings against electrical currents in demanding applications. Our goal is to develop technically well-engineered solutions that deliver tangible benefits to customers in real-world operation,” says Libor Nohál, Technical Director of the ZKL Group.
Electrical currents passing through a bearing can cause electrical erosion of the raceways and lead to premature bearing damage. VOLPROTEQ uses an electrically insulating coating applied to selected ring surfaces to create an effective barrier against current passing through the bearing. The complete solution – from ring surface preparation and coating application to coating impregnation and final surface treatment – provides a high level of electrical insulation combined with mechanical coating resistance. This contributes to improved reliability of traction motors and other applications exposed to electrical currents.
InnoTrans is one of the world’s leading trade fairs for transport technology and is held every two years in Berlin, bringing together manufacturers, suppliers, operators and other professionals from across the railway industry. In 2024, the exhibition covered 200,000 m² and featured 2,946 exhibitors from 59 countries, attracting more than 169,000 visitors from 128 countries.
This year’s edition will also mark 30 years of InnoTrans – while ZKL has twice as much experience in axle bearing development. For twice as long, we have been developing axle bearings for you.
Visit ZKL in Hall 23, Booth 920.
Bearings for freight and passenger rail applications
At InnoTrans, ZKL will showcase its upgraded WJ/WJP axle roller bearings for freight wagons, designed for Y25 bogies and other applications. The exhibition will also feature cylindrical and tapered roller bearing units for railway applications, double-row spherical roller bearings for locomotive axles, and bearings for traction motors.CTBU 110×180 to make its international debut
A key new product on the ZKL stand will be the compact CTBU 110×180 bearing unit, the smallest size variant in this product range. The unit is based on ZKL’s proven bearing unit design for axle applications and incorporates advances in the development and optimization of bearing contact surfaces. The optimized design has been validated using both simulation tools and experimental testing.“Every solution we develop combines our own engineering expertise, manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality. Reliability is critical in railway bearings, which is why we validate new designs, materials and surface technologies through simulations, laboratory testing and operational trials. At InnoTrans, we will present, among other things, the new CTBU 110×180 bearing unit and, as a world premiere, VOLPROTEQ, a controlled insulation system designed to protect bearings against electrical currents in demanding applications. Our goal is to develop technically well-engineered solutions that deliver tangible benefits to customers in real-world operation,” says Libor Nohál, Technical Director of the ZKL Group.
VOLPROTEQ – an insulation system for demanding applications
The world premiere at the ZKL stand will be VOLPROTEQ – a protective barrier system for bearings exposed to electrical loads in rail vehicle drive systems.Electrical currents passing through a bearing can cause electrical erosion of the raceways and lead to premature bearing damage. VOLPROTEQ uses an electrically insulating coating applied to selected ring surfaces to create an effective barrier against current passing through the bearing. The complete solution – from ring surface preparation and coating application to coating impregnation and final surface treatment – provides a high level of electrical insulation combined with mechanical coating resistance. This contributes to improved reliability of traction motors and other applications exposed to electrical currents.
Solutions for more efficient operation
ZKL will also offer personal consultations for railway vehicle operators. Visitors will have the opportunity to discuss their specific operational and maintenance challenges with ZKL’s sales and technical specialists and explore how diagnostics, technical support, operational optimization and bearing remanufacturing can help extend bearing service life and reduce maintenance-related costs.InnoTrans is one of the world’s leading trade fairs for transport technology and is held every two years in Berlin, bringing together manufacturers, suppliers, operators and other professionals from across the railway industry. In 2024, the exhibition covered 200,000 m² and featured 2,946 exhibitors from 59 countries, attracting more than 169,000 visitors from 128 countries.
This year’s edition will also mark 30 years of InnoTrans – while ZKL has twice as much experience in axle bearing development. For twice as long, we have been developing axle bearings for you.
Visit ZKL in Hall 23, Booth 920.