The polymer bearing market attained $9.4 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $14.9 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2022 to 2031.
A polymer bearing is a design module used to convey rotational motion in a machine or small mechanism when at least one of two rubbing components is composed of polymer. Consequently, regions once dominated by steel and phosphor bronze are progressively filled with polymers such as Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), Polyoxymethylene (POM), and Nylons. A polymer bearing is an element of a machine featuring at least one polymer rubbing part. Because they can survive extreme situations that would ruin conventional bearings, polymer bearings are desirable. Compared to steel, polymeric materials are 80% lighter. As a result, polymer-based bearings require less energy to move and are less susceptible to energy loss due to friction. When greased, polymer bearings are practically silent and absorb stress loads more effectively than metal bearings. When high loads and perhaps high temperatures are involved, metallic bearings are normally used. Certain polymers, such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and Polyimide, can withstand tremendous loads and temperatures of 300°C+, despite the fact that polymers cannot normally withstand large loads or operate at high temperatures. The use of these polymers is limited to aeronautical and medical applications where cost is not a significant factor.
In addition to hospital beds, x-ray equipment, dentist chairs, operating tables, and wheelchairs, polymer bearings may be used in a number of medical devices. Increasing technological developments in the healthcare sector have led to an increase in demand for medical devices, which may have a favorable effect on the market size for polymer bearings.
The market for polymer bearings is primarily driven by demand from the automotive industry, particularly in the production of cars, in an effort to minimize weight, noise, and corrosion. They are typically applied to the metal surface and possibly to other common bearing materials as well due to their corrosive and chemical-resistant qualities. In addition, due to their self-lubricating qualities, polymer bearings prevent heat transmission and reduce the likelihood of failure due to reduced maintenance requirements. Compared to metal bearings, polymer bearings are more conducive to economic growth and are between 70 and 80% lighter than other metals, making them a popular choice in the automotive industry. China is the world’s largest automotive market, according to the International Trade Administration (ITA). The Chinese government expects automotive production to reach 35 million units by 2025. This will support market expansion even further.
Fluctuating raw material costs may limit industry profitability, consequently influencing the price trend of polymer bearings. The low thermal conductivity of phenolic bearings due to friction, which necessitates a continual supply of water or lubricating oil to reduce heat, may impede the growth of the sector. However, polymer bearings are less expensive and lighter than metal bearings, which has increased their use in the automotive industry and stimulated their expansion. The government's stringent restrictions on the use of polymer bearings in the food packaging and processing industries have prevented further expansion of the market.
The development of 3D printing technology is anticipated to generate growth opportunities for the global polymer bearing industry. Custom 3D-printed plain bearings made from high-performance polymers are more durable than conventional 3D-printing materials. Using 3D printing, bearing manufacturers may innovate and produce bearings with improved performance. It is projected that the growing popularity of 3D printing would increase the industrial use of polymer bearings.
The polymer bearing market is segmented into type of material, end-use industry and region. Depending on the type of material, the market is divided into phenolics, nylon, teflon, acetal, UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) and others. On the basis of end-use industry, it is categorized into automobile, medical & pharmaceutical, textile, packaging and others. Region-wise, the market is studied across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.
The major players operating in the global polymer bearing market are ISB Industries, Altra Industrial Motion Corp., Saint-Gobain, Dotmar Engineering Plastics, Waukesha Bearings Corporation, SKF, Igus, Kashima Bearings, Inc., KMS Bearings, Inc., OILES CORPORATION. Other players operating in the market are Synnovia, TOK Inc., Xinzhou Bearing Industrial Inc., Boston Gear LLC, BNL Ltd.
A polymer bearing is a design module used to convey rotational motion in a machine or small mechanism when at least one of two rubbing components is composed of polymer. Consequently, regions once dominated by steel and phosphor bronze are progressively filled with polymers such as Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), Polyoxymethylene (POM), and Nylons. A polymer bearing is an element of a machine featuring at least one polymer rubbing part. Because they can survive extreme situations that would ruin conventional bearings, polymer bearings are desirable. Compared to steel, polymeric materials are 80% lighter. As a result, polymer-based bearings require less energy to move and are less susceptible to energy loss due to friction. When greased, polymer bearings are practically silent and absorb stress loads more effectively than metal bearings. When high loads and perhaps high temperatures are involved, metallic bearings are normally used. Certain polymers, such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and Polyimide, can withstand tremendous loads and temperatures of 300°C+, despite the fact that polymers cannot normally withstand large loads or operate at high temperatures. The use of these polymers is limited to aeronautical and medical applications where cost is not a significant factor.
In addition to hospital beds, x-ray equipment, dentist chairs, operating tables, and wheelchairs, polymer bearings may be used in a number of medical devices. Increasing technological developments in the healthcare sector have led to an increase in demand for medical devices, which may have a favorable effect on the market size for polymer bearings.
The market for polymer bearings is primarily driven by demand from the automotive industry, particularly in the production of cars, in an effort to minimize weight, noise, and corrosion. They are typically applied to the metal surface and possibly to other common bearing materials as well due to their corrosive and chemical-resistant qualities. In addition, due to their self-lubricating qualities, polymer bearings prevent heat transmission and reduce the likelihood of failure due to reduced maintenance requirements. Compared to metal bearings, polymer bearings are more conducive to economic growth and are between 70 and 80% lighter than other metals, making them a popular choice in the automotive industry. China is the world’s largest automotive market, according to the International Trade Administration (ITA). The Chinese government expects automotive production to reach 35 million units by 2025. This will support market expansion even further.
Fluctuating raw material costs may limit industry profitability, consequently influencing the price trend of polymer bearings. The low thermal conductivity of phenolic bearings due to friction, which necessitates a continual supply of water or lubricating oil to reduce heat, may impede the growth of the sector. However, polymer bearings are less expensive and lighter than metal bearings, which has increased their use in the automotive industry and stimulated their expansion. The government's stringent restrictions on the use of polymer bearings in the food packaging and processing industries have prevented further expansion of the market.
The development of 3D printing technology is anticipated to generate growth opportunities for the global polymer bearing industry. Custom 3D-printed plain bearings made from high-performance polymers are more durable than conventional 3D-printing materials. Using 3D printing, bearing manufacturers may innovate and produce bearings with improved performance. It is projected that the growing popularity of 3D printing would increase the industrial use of polymer bearings.
The polymer bearing market is segmented into type of material, end-use industry and region. Depending on the type of material, the market is divided into phenolics, nylon, teflon, acetal, UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) and others. On the basis of end-use industry, it is categorized into automobile, medical & pharmaceutical, textile, packaging and others. Region-wise, the market is studied across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.
The major players operating in the global polymer bearing market are ISB Industries, Altra Industrial Motion Corp., Saint-Gobain, Dotmar Engineering Plastics, Waukesha Bearings Corporation, SKF, Igus, Kashima Bearings, Inc., KMS Bearings, Inc., OILES CORPORATION. Other players operating in the market are Synnovia, TOK Inc., Xinzhou Bearing Industrial Inc., Boston Gear LLC, BNL Ltd.
Key Benefits For Stakeholders
- This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the polymer bearing market analysis from 2021 to 2031 to identify the prevailing polymer bearing market opportunities.
- The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.
- Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.
- In-depth analysis of the polymer bearing market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.
- Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market.
- Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.
- The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global polymer bearing market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.
Key Market Segments
By Type of Material
- Phenolics
- Nylon
- Teflon
- Acetal
- UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene)
- Others
By End Use Industry
- Automobile
- Medical and Pharmaceutical
- Textile
- Packaging
- Others
By Region
- North America
- U.S.
- Canada
- Mexico
- Europe
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- UK
- Spian
- Rest of Europe
- Asia-Pacific
- China
- India
- Japan
- South Korea
- Australia
- Rest of Asia-Pacific
- LAMEA
- Brazil
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
- Rest of LAMEA
Key Market Players
- Altra Industrial Motion Corp.
- Dotmar Engineering Plastics
- Igus Bearings Inc.
- OILES CORPORATION
- KMS Bearings, Inc
- Saint-Gobain
- SKF
- ISB Industries
- waukesha bearings corporation
- Kashima Bearings, Inc.
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Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 2: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CHAPTER 3: MARKET OVERVIEW
CHAPTER 4: POLYMER BEARING MARKET, BY TYPE OF MATERIAL
CHAPTER 5: POLYMER BEARING MARKET, BY END USE INDUSTRY
CHAPTER 6: POLYMER BEARING MARKET, BY REGION
CHAPTER 7: COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
CHAPTER 8: COMPANY PROFILES
List of Tables
List of Figures
Executive Summary
According to the report titled, “Polymer Bearing Market," the polymer bearing market was valued at $9.4 billion in 2021, and is estimated to reach $14.9 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2022 to 2031.Polymer bearings, sometimes known as plastic bearings, are the most recent bearings industry innovation. A bearing consists of four distinct components: the inner race, the cage, the outer race, and the balls. The combination of these components allows for frictionless movement. The inner race, outer race, and cage of polymer bearings are all constructed of plastic, and the substance used to manufacture the balls depends on the applications and environmental conditions to which the bearing is subjected. Plastic, stainless steel, and glass are all materials that can be utilized to produce balls.
Polymer bearings offer several advantages over conventional bearings. This offers chemicals, resistance to corrosion, and fatigue, low friction coefficient self-lubrication, and quiet operation. Polymer bearings are appropriate for instances where steel bearings cannot be utilized due to their tendency to corrode. In addition, they are more cost-effective than other types of bearings. Consequently, these are utilized in numerous applications in industries such as textile, electrical food & beverage and medical & pharmaceutical. However, polymer ball bearings cannot be used in situations involving high loads and continuous exposure to temperatures over 300 degrees Fahrenheit. This necessitates the use of conventional bearings, such as stainless steel and ceramic bearings. Ceramic bearings provide several benefits. They transcend the majority of limits often faced with the other two bearings and can withstand high temperatures of up to 1100°C and high loads. Despite these benefits, ceramic bearings are utilized less frequently due to their high cost. Thus, polymer bearings are commonly employed since they are cost-effective and provide a multitude of benefits. It is anticipated that the market for polymer bearings would increase at a steady rate due to the expanding use of these bearings in a variety of industrial applications.
Rising demand for polymer bearings in industrial applications such as the medical & pharmaceutical, automotive, textile, and food processing industries is expected to be the primary driver driving the growth of the polymer bearing market. After construction, the automobile industry is the second largest consumer of polymers. According to the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association, 1/3 of a vehicle’s approximately 30,000 parts are comprised of plastic. About 39 distinct types of plastics and polymers are utilized to construct one vehicle. However, over 70% of the plastic used in automobiles is comprised of four polymers, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyamides, and Polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
In recent years, plastic has become one of the most important materials required for the structure, performance, and safety of automobiles, with the increase in plastic use being driven by trends toward lightweighting to improve fuel efficiency and hence reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, a variety of biological, synthetic, and hybrid polymers are utilized for medical applications. For instance, the Igus company provides plastic solutions for food-processing machines and equipment in order to meet the stringent criteria for food hygiene and food safety at every stage of the process. However, stringent government requirements may impede the growth of polymer bearings in the food packaging and processing industries. Despite this, technical progress in production processes, growing awareness of its applications, and rising demand for polymer bearings can create multiple opportunities for the market's constant growth.
Fluctuating raw material costs may limit industry profitability, consequently influencing the price trend of polymer bearings. The low thermal conductivity of phenolic bearings due to friction, which necessitates a continual supply of water or lubricating oil to reduce heat, may impede the growth of the sector. However, polymer bearings are less expensive and lighter than metal bearings, which has increased their use in the automotive industry and stimulated their expansion. The government's stringent restrictions on the use of polymer bearings in the food packaging and processing industries have prevented further expansion of the market.
The development of 3D printing technology is anticipated to generate growth opportunities for the global polymer bearing industry. Custom 3D-printed plain bearings made from high-performance polymers are more durable than conventional 3D-printing materials. Using 3D printing, bearing manufacturers may innovate and produce bearings with improved performance. It is projected that the growing popularity of 3D printing would increase the industrial use of polymer bearings.
For the purpose of analysis, the polymer bearing scope covers segmentation based on material type, end-use industry, and region. The report provides information on several type of material, including the market divided into phenolics, nylon, teflon, acetal, UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) and others. Furthermore, the end-use industry covered in the study automobile, medical & pharmaceutical, textile, packaging and others. In addition, it analyzes the current market trends across different regions, such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.
The major players operating in the global polymer bearing market are ISB Industries, Altra Industrial Motion Corp., Saint-Gobain, Dotmar Engineering Plastics, Waukesha Bearings Corporation, SKF, Igus, Kashima Bearings, Inc., KMS Bearings, Inc., OILES CORPORATION. Other players operating in the market are Synnovia, TOK Inc., Xinzhou Bearing Industrial Inc., Boston Gear LLC, BNL Ltd.
Key Findings of the Study
- On the basis of type of material, the acetal segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2%, in terms of revenue, during the forecast period.
- Depending on end-use industry, the automobile segment is expected to grow at a high CAGR, during the forecast period.
- Region-wise, Asia-Pacific garnered the highest share in 2021 in terms of revenue.
Companies Mentioned
- Altra Industrial Motion Corp.
- Dotmar Engineering Plastics
- Igus Bearings Inc.
- OILES CORPORATION
- KMS Bearings, Inc
- Saint-Gobain
- SKF
- ISB Industries
- waukesha bearings corporation
- Kashima Bearings, Inc.
Methodology
The analyst offers exhaustive research and analysis based on a wide variety of factual inputs, which largely include interviews with industry participants, reliable statistics, and regional intelligence. The in-house industry experts play an instrumental role in designing analytic tools and models, tailored to the requirements of a particular industry segment. The primary research efforts include reaching out participants through mail, tele-conversations, referrals, professional networks, and face-to-face interactions.
They are also in professional corporate relations with various companies that allow them greater flexibility for reaching out to industry participants and commentators for interviews and discussions.
They also refer to a broad array of industry sources for their secondary research, which typically include; however, not limited to:
- Company SEC filings, annual reports, company websites, broker & financial reports, and investor presentations for competitive scenario and shape of the industry
- Scientific and technical writings for product information and related preemptions
- Regional government and statistical databases for macro analysis
- Authentic news articles and other related releases for market evaluation
- Internal and external proprietary databases, key market indicators, and relevant press releases for market estimates and forecast
Furthermore, the accuracy of the data will be analyzed and validated by conducting additional primaries with various industry experts and KOLs. They also provide robust post-sales support to clients.
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Table Information
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| No. of Pages | 460 |
| Published | February 2023 |
| Forecast Period | 2021 - 2031 |
| Estimated Market Value ( USD | $ 9.4 billion |
| Forecasted Market Value ( USD | $ 14.9 billion |
| Compound Annual Growth Rate | 4.7% |
| Regions Covered | Global |
| No. of Companies Mentioned | 10 |
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