The Plain Bearing Market is anticipated to experience substantial growth between 2025 and 2035, driven by the rising demand from the automotive and industrial sectors.
The market is projected to be valued at USD 13.5 billion in 2025 and is estimated to reach USD 23.9 billion by 2035, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9% throughout the assessment period.
A key driver for the market's expansion is the increasing demand for lightweight and high-performance bearings in automotive and industrial applications. Plain bearings offer low maintenance, reduced friction, and higher load-bearing capacity, making them ideal for harsh environments and heavy-duty machinery. Moreover, the growing emphasis on fuel efficiency and electric vehicle (EV) production is further propelling the demand for advanced bearing technologies.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Industry Size (2025E) | USD 13.5 billion |
| Industry Value (2035F) | USD 23.9 billion |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 5.9% |
Based on End Use segments, the automotive industry dominates the market due to the rising manufacturing of electric and hybrid vehicles, increasing need for fuel efficiency, as well as the requirement for long-lasting components.
The automotive industry has many uses for plain bearings, such as in engine parts, transmissions, steering systems and suspensions, allowing vehicles to be lighter and more efficient overall. Automotive is also establishing itself as a market leader with the use of electric mobility, and with the increasing use of self-lubricating and maintenance-free bearings.
The journal type segment is projected to capture 35% of the market share by 2025, driven by its widespread application in various industries. The automotive segment is expected to lead the end-use market with a 30% share, fueled by demand for durable and high-performance bearings in vehicles.
The journal type plain bearings are expected to dominate the market, capturing a 35% share by 2025, driven by their versatility, durability, and widespread use in numerous industrial and automotive applications. These bearings are particularly valued for their simplicity and ability to support high loads with minimal friction. The journal type plain bearings are commonly used in heavy machinery, automotive engines, and various manufacturing processes, where reliability and performance are critical.
The growing need for cost-effective and low-maintenance solutions in various applications, such as motors, pumps, and turbines, has led to an increasing preference for journal bearings. Their ability to operate in harsh conditions and high-load environments makes them an indispensable component in multiple sectors. As industries continue to focus on improving operational efficiency, the demand for journal type bearings is expected to grow, cementing their dominance in the plain bearing market through 2035.
The automotive segment is projected to capture a 30% share of the plain bearing market by 2025, driven by the increasing demand for durable, high-performance bearings in vehicles. Plain bearings are crucial components in various automotive applications, including engine systems, suspension systems, and transmission systems. They help reduce friction, improve fuel efficiency, and extend the lifespan of critical components, making them a vital part of modern vehicle manufacturing.
As the automotive industry continues to evolve with an increasing focus on fuel efficiency, sustainability, and performance, the demand for high-quality plain bearings is expected to rise. With the ongoing growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and the need for advanced, low-maintenance solutions, the automotive segment will remain a key driver of market growth. The demand for plain bearings in automotive applications is further fueled by the need for cost-effective solutions that provide reliable performance across a variety of driving conditions.
Performance Limitations in High-Load Applications
The major controversy within plane bearing industry is limitation of traditional bearing material for high-load and high-speed operations. Plain bearings on the other hand, under extreme conditions can create high friction and resultant wear and temperature - resulting in lower efficiency and a shorter working service life.
Plain bearings are used in heavy machinery, mining and aerospace applications to help sustain high loads with an improved performance. And that pushes producers to develop substitute materials and coatings that increase durability and thermal resistance, albeit at higher production costs.
Advancements in Self-Lubricating and Smart Bearings
Now the self-lubricating and smart bearings develop, it represent a huge opportunity for plain bearing. Manufacturers are increasingly using advances in composite materials, like PTFE-based and polymer bearings, to create maintenance-free products, which helps to reduce down time and operating costs. In addition, integrating smart sensor technology into plain bearings allows for real-time monitoring of friction, temperature, and wear conditions, helping industries to optimize performance and predict maintenance needs.
As the pace of adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies and automation continues to rise ever more steeply, the demand for intelligent plain bearing technologies will grow rapidly and provide scope for manufacturers to affordably create differentiated offerings in the market.
USA plain bearing market is also growing owing to increased demand in aerospace, automotive, and heavy machinery applications. Market growth is driven by the trend towards maintenance free and self-lubricating bearings.
In addition, growing investments for infrastructure development and industrial automation are also acting as demand propellers for high-performance plain bearings. So too is the need to minimize friction and wear on mechanical parts, which is prompting companies to develop better materials and coatings to improve durability and efficiency.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| USA | 5.7% |
Demand for lightweight and energy-efficient bearing solutions in aerospace, automotive, and industrial equipment in the UK is fueling the market growth. The focus of the nation is to lower and cut the auto emissions, hence more low-friction and high-duty plain bearings are in operational use. The growth of wind energy projects and increasing demand for renewable energy applications are also driving the market for sustainable bearing solutions.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| UK | 5.5% |
The growth of the EU plain bearing market at a high CAGR during the forecast period is attributed to rising industrial automation, high emission standards in the automotive industry, and increasing demand for high-performance bearings in renewable energy technologies.
Leading the way by the development of technology for self-lubricating and polymer-based bearings are Germany, France, and Italy. Annoying just at aerospace and defense industries in the locality, additionally driving the demand, demanding more precision and corrosion resistant bearing resolution.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| European Union | 6.2% |
Robust automotive and robotics sector demand, precision engineering advancements, and increased R&D spending on durable, high-performance bearing materials spur the growth of Japan's plain bearing market. Japan's strong presence in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles has generated the demand for lighter-weight and higher-efficiency bearing solutions. Also, market growth is further accelerated by growing automation in the manufacturing and industrial equipment industries.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Japan | 5.8% |
South Korea's market is growing rapidly due to the increase in the semiconductor and electronics industries, growing investments in infrastructure development, and rising demand for plain bearings in industrial automation.
The growth of the automotive industry, particularly electric and hybrid vehicles, is increasing the use of long-lasting and low-friction bearings. Governments are also issuing incentives for both smart manufacturing and advanced material development, thus spurring innovations in the industry.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| South Korea | 6.0% |
The Plain Bearing Market is witnessing steady growth driven by rising demand across automotive, aerospace, industrial machinery, and energy sectors. These bearings, known for their high load capacity, durability, and low maintenance requirements, are widely used in applications where rolling element bearings are impractical.
The market's expansion is fueled by technological advancements in self-lubricating bearings, composite materials, and enhanced load-bearing capabilities. Additionally, increasing industrial automation and infrastructure development are further propelling the demand for plain bearings. Leading companies are investing in material innovation, precision engineering, and strategic collaborations to strengthen their market presence.
| Report Attributes | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Total Market Size (2025) | USD 13.5 billion |
| Projected Market Size (2035) | USD 23.9 billion |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 5.9% |
| Base Year for Estimation | 2024 |
| Historical Period | 2020 to 2024 |
| Projections Period | 2025 to 2035 |
| Quantitative Units | USD billion |
| Types Analyzed (Segment 1) | Journal, Linear, Thrust, Angular Contact, Others |
| End Uses Analyzed (Segment 2) | Construction Industry, Automotive, Industrial, Aerospace, Energy, Agriculture & Gardening Equipment, Oilfield Machinery, Office Products, Others |
| Regions Covered | North America; Latin America; East Asia; South Asia and Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; Central Asia; Russia and Belarus; Balkan and Baltics; Middle East and Africa |
| Countries Covered | United States, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, UAE, South Africa |
| Key Players influencing the Plain Bearing Market | NTN Corporation, SKF Group, Schaeffler Group, Timken Company, THK CO., Ltd., MinebeaMitsumi Inc., Others |
| Additional Attributes | Dollar sales driven by OEM investments and industrial upgrades, journal bearings leading high-load applications, automotive sector fueling volume demand, energy and agriculture segments emerging as secondary growth hubs, Europe and Asia showing dominance in production capacity and export footprint. |
| Customization and Pricing | Customization and Pricing Available on Request |
Table 01: Global Market Value (US$ million) & Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Type
Table 02: Global Market Value (US$ million) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Table 03: Global Market Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Table 04: Global Market Value (US$ million) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Region
Table 05: Global Market Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Region
Table 06: North America Market Value (US$ million) & Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Country
Table 07: North America Market Value (US$ million) & Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Type
Table 08: North America Market Value (US$ million) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Table 09: North America Market Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Table 10: Latin America Market Value (US$ million) & Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Country
Table 11: Latin America Market Value (US$ million) & Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Type
Table 12: Latin America Market Value (US$ million) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Table 13: Latin America Market Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Table 14: East Asia Market Value (US$ million) & Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Country
Table 15: East Asia Market Value (US$ million) & Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Type
Table 16: East Asia Market Value (US$ million) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Table 17: East Asia Market Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Table 18: Global Market Value (US$ million) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Region
Table 19: Global Market Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Region
Table 20: South Asia & Pacific Market Value (US$ million) & Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Type
Table 21: South Asia and Pacific Market Value (US$ million) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Table 22: South Asia and Pacific Market Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Table 23: Global Market Value (US$ million) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Region
Table 24: Global Market Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Region
Table 25: Western Europe Market Value (US$ million) & Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Type
Table 26: Western Europe Market Value (US$ million) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Table 27: Western Europe Market Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Table 28: Global Market Value (US$ million) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Region
Table 29: Global Market Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Region
Table 30: Eastern Europe Market Value (US$ million) & Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Type
Table 31: Eastern Europe Market Value (US$ million) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Table 32: Eastern Europe Market Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Table 33: Central Asia Market Value (US$ million) & Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Type
Table 34: Central Asia Market Value (US$ million) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Table 35: Central Asia Market Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Table 36: Global Market Value (US$ million) & Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Type
Table 37: Russia and Belarus Market Value (US$ million) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Table 38: Russia and Belarus Market Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Table 39: Balkan & Baltic Countries Market Value (US$ million) & Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Type
Table 40: Balkan & Baltics Countries Market Value (US$ million) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Table 41: Balkan & Baltics Countries Market Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Table 42: Global Market Value (US$ million) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Region
Table 43: Global Market Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Region
Table 44: Middle East & Africa Market Value (US$ million) & Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by Type
Table 45: Middle East and Africa Market Value (US$ million) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Table 46: Middle East and Africa Market Volume ('000 Units) Historical Data 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033 by End Use
Figure 01: Global Market Historical Volume (million Units), 2018 to 2022
Figure 02: Global Market Volume (million Units) Forecast, 2023 to 2033
Figure 03: Global Market Historical Value (US$ million), 2018 to 2022
Figure 04: Global Market Value (US$ million) Forecast, 2023 to 2033
Figure 05: Global Market Absolute $ Opportunity, 2022 – 2033
Figure 06: Global Market Share and BPS Analysis by Type – 2023 & 2033
Figure 07: Global Y-o-Y Growth Projection by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 08: Global Market Attractiveness Index by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 09: Global Market Incremental $ Opportunity by Type, 2023-2033
Figure 10: Global Market Share and BPS Analysis by End Use– 2023 & 2033
Figure 11: Global Y-o-Y Growth Projection by End Use, 2023 to 2033
Figure 12: Global Market Attractiveness Index by End Use, 2023 to 2033
Figure 13: Global Market Incremental $ Opportunity by End Use, 2023-2033
Figure 14: Global Market Share and BPS Analysis by Region– 2023 & 2033
Figure 15: Global Y-o-Y Growth Projection by Region, 2023 to 2033
Figure 16: Global Market Attractiveness Index by Region, 2023 to 2033
Figure 17: Global Market Incremental $ Opportunity by Region, 2023-2033
Figure 18: North America Market Share and BPS Analysis by Country– 2023 & 2033
Figure 19: North America Y-o-Y Growth Projection by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 20: North America Market Attractiveness Index by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 21: North America Market Incremental $ Opportunity by Country, 2023-2033
Figure 22: North America Market Share and BPS Analysis by Type – 2023 & 2033
Figure 23: North America Y-o-Y Growth Projection by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 24: North America Market Attractiveness Index by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 25: North America Market Share and BPS Analysis by End Use– 2023 & 2033
Figure 26: North America Y-o-Y Growth Projection by End Use, 2023 to 2033
Figure 27: North America Market Attractiveness Index by End Use, 2023 to 2033
Figure 28: Latin America Market Share and BPS Analysis by Country – 2023 & 2033
Figure 29: Latin America Y-o-Y Growth Projection by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 30: Latin America Market Attractiveness Index by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 31: Latin America Market Incremental $ Opportunity by Country, 2023-2033
Figure 32: Latin America Market Share and BPS Analysis by Type – 2023 & 2033
Figure 33: Latin America Y-o-Y Growth Projection by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 34: Latin America Market Attractiveness Index by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 35: Latin America Market Share and BPS Analysis by End Use– 2023 & 2033
Figure 36: Latin America Y-o-Y Growth Projection by End Use, 2023 to 2033
Figure 37: Latin America Market Attractiveness Index by End Use, 2023 to 2033
Figure 38: East Asia Market Share and BPS Analysis by Country – 2023 & 2033
Figure 39: East Asia Y-o-Y Growth Projection by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 40: East Asia Market Attractiveness Index by Country, 2023 to 2033
Figure 41: East Asia Market Incremental $ Opportunity by Country, 2023-2033
Figure 42: East Asia Market Share and BPS Analysis by Type – 2023 & 2033
Figure 43: East Asia Y-o-Y Growth Projection by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 44: East Asia Market Attractiveness Index by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 45: East Asia Market Share and BPS Analysis by End Use– 2023 & 2033
Figure 46: East Asia Y-o-Y Growth Projection by End Use, 2023 to 2033
Figure 47: East Asia Market Attractiveness Index by End Use, 2023 to 2033
Figure 48: Global Market Share and BPS Analysis by Region– 2023 & 2033
Figure 49: Global Y-o-Y Growth Projection by Region, 2023 to 2033
Figure 50: Global Market Attractiveness Index by Region, 2023 to 2033
Figure 51: Global Market Incremental $ Opportunity by Region, 2023-2033
Figure 52: South Asia and Pacific Market Share and BPS Analysis by Type – 2023 & 2033
Figure 53: South Asia and Pacific Y-o-Y Growth Projection by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 54: South Asia and Pacific Market Attractiveness Index by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 55: South Asia and Pacific Market Share and BPS Analysis by End Use– 2023 & 2033
Figure 56: South Asia and Pacific Y-o-Y Growth Projection by End Use, 2023 to 2033
Figure 57: South Asia and Pacific Market Attractiveness Index by End Use, 2023 to 2033
Figure 58: Global Market Share and BPS Analysis by Region– 2023 & 2033
Figure 59: Global Y-o-Y Growth Projection by Region, 2023 to 2033
Figure 60: Global Market Attractiveness Index by Region, 2023 to 2033
Figure 61: Global Market Incremental $ Opportunity by Region, 2023-2033
Figure 62: Western Europe Market Share and BPS Analysis by Type – 2023 & 2033
Figure 63: Western Europe Y-o-Y Growth Projection by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 64: Western Europe Market Attractiveness Index by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 65: Western Europe Market Share and BPS Analysis by End Use– 2023 & 2033
Figure 66: Western Europe Y-o-Y Growth Projection by End Use, 2023 to 2033
Figure 67: Western Europe Market Attractiveness Index by End Use, 2023 to 2033
Figure 68: Global Market Share and BPS Analysis by Region– 2023 & 2033
Figure 69: Global Y-o-Y Growth Projection by Region, 2023 to 2033
Figure 70: Global Market Attractiveness Index by Region, 2023 to 2033
Figure 71: Global Market Incremental $ Opportunity by Region, 2023-2033
Figure 72: Eastern Europe Market Share and BPS Analysis by Type – 2023 & 2033
Figure 73: Eastern Europe Y-o-Y Growth Projection by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 74: Eastern Europe Market Attractiveness Index by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 75: Eastern Europe Market Share and BPS Analysis by End Use– 2023 & 2033
Figure 76: Eastern Europe Y-o-Y Growth Projection by End Use, 2023 to 2033
Figure 77: Eastern Europe Market Attractiveness Index by End Use, 2023 to 2033
Figure 78: Central Asia Market Share and BPS Analysis by Type – 2023 & 2033
Figure 79: Central Asia Y-o-Y Growth Projection by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 80: Central Asia Market Attractiveness Index by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 81: Central Asia Market Share and BPS Analysis by End Use– 2023 & 2033
Figure 82: Central Asia Y-o-Y Growth Projection by End Use, 2023 to 2033
Figure 83: Central Asia Market Attractiveness Index by End Use, 2023 to 2033
Figure 84: Russia and Belarus Market Share and BPS Analysis by Type – 2023 & 2033
Figure 85: Russia and Belarus Y-o-Y Growth Projection by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 86: Russia and Belarus Market Attractiveness Index by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 87: Russia and Belarus Market Share and BPS Analysis by End Use– 2023 & 2033
Figure 88: Russia and Belarus Y-o-Y Growth Projection by End Use, 2023 to 2033
Figure 89: Russia and Belarus Market Attractiveness Index by End Use, 2023 to 2033
Figure 90: Balkan & Baltics Countries Market Share and BPS Analysis by Type – 2023 & 2033
Figure 91: Balkan & Baltics Countries Y-o-Y Growth Projection by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 92: Balkan & Baltics Countries Market Attractiveness Index by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 93: Balkan & Baltics Countries Market Share and BPS Analysis by End Use– 2023 & 2033
Figure 94: Balkan & Baltics Countries Y-o-Y Growth Projection by End Use, 2023 to 2033
Figure 95: Balkan & Baltics Countries Market Attractiveness Index by End Use, 2023 to 2033
Figure 96: Global Market Share and BPS Analysis by Region– 2023 & 2033
Figure 97: Global Y-o-Y Growth Projection by Region, 2023 to 2033
Figure 98: Global Market Attractiveness Index by Region, 2023 to 2033
Figure 99: Global Market Incremental $ Opportunity by Region, 2023-2033
Figure 100: Middle East and Africa Market Share and BPS Analysis by Type – 2023 & 2033
Figure 101: Middle East and Africa Y-o-Y Growth Projection by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 102: Middle East and Africa Market Attractiveness Index by Type, 2023 to 2033
Figure 103: Middle East and Africa Market Share and BPS Analysis by End Use– 2023 & 2033
Figure 104: Middle East and Africa Y-o-Y Growth Projection by End Use, 2023 to 2033
Figure 105: Middle East and Africa Market Attractiveness Index by End Use, 2023 to 2033
The overall market size for plain bearing market was USD 13.5 billion in 2025.
The plain bearing market is expected to reach USD 23.9 billion in 2035.
The driven by the rising demand from the automotive and industrial sectors fuels Plain Bearing Market during the forecast period.
The top 5 countries which drives the development of Plain Bearing Market are USA, UK, Europe Union, Japan and South Korea.
On the basis of end use, automotive to command significant share over the forecast period.
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Plain Bearing Market
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