Thrust Bearings Market Report 2026

The thrust bearings market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $3.72 billion in 2025 to $3.98 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of automotive manufacturing, expansion of industrial machinery production, increasing use of rotating equipment, rising demand from power generation sector, development of aerospace engineering applications.

The thrust bearings market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.25 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growth of electric vehicle production, increasing investments in renewable energy projects, rising automation in industrial equipment, demand for energy efficient mechanical systems, expansion of advanced manufacturing technologies. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for high load capacity thrust bearings, growing adoption of spherical roller thrust bearings, increasing use of thrust bearings in electric vehicles, expansion of thrust bearings in power generation equipment, higher preference for low friction and long life bearings.

The expanding automotive industry is anticipated to drive the growth of the thrust bearings market in the coming years. This industry includes companies engaged in designing, developing, manufacturing, and selling motor vehicles. Growth is fueled by rising consumer demand, availability of credit, the adoption of electric vehicles, and preferences for innovative transportation solutions. Thrust bearings play a crucial role in the automotive sector by supporting axial loads and reducing friction in vital components such as transmissions and steering systems, thereby enhancing vehicle performance and durability. For example, in May 2025, the Verband der Automobilindustrie (the German Association of the Automotive Industry) reported that in 2023, research and development investments by German automotive companies increased by 11% year-on-year, reaching €58.4 ($63.1) billion. Consequently, the growth of the automotive industry is propelling the thrust bearings market.

Key players in the thrust bearings market are increasingly focusing on the development of mounted thrust bearings to satisfy the rising demand for efficient and durable components across various industrial sectors. These mounted thrust bearings, which are pre-assembled and ready for installation, offer several benefits, including reduced maintenance time, enhanced load-carrying capacity, and improved alignment. For instance, in March 2024, Auburn Bearing & Manufacturing, a US-based company specializing in ball and roller thrust bearings, introduced the MT-114RG mounted thrust bearing. This new product enhances the versatility of the T-114RG thrust bearing series by allowing for easier installation. The MT-114RG can be simply threaded onto a shaft, streamlining the installation process and ensuring secure placement.

In April 2024, Zhejiang XCC GROUP CO. Ltd, a Chinese manufacturer of thrust bearings, acquired WJB Automotive LLC for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition is expected to leverage WJB Automotive's market expertise alongside XCC-ZXZ Group's manufacturing capabilities, facilitating global growth, broadening market reach, and accelerating product innovation within the automotive industry. WJB Automotive LLC is a US-based company that produces thrust bearings and related components.

Major companies operating in the thrust bearings market are SKF AB, The Timken Company, NSK Ltd, NTN Corporation, JTEKT Corporation, Nachi-Fujikoshi Corp., Schaeffler AG, RBC Bearings Ltd, C&U Group, ZKL Group, American Roller Bearing Company, Kingsbury Inc., Waukesha Bearings Corp., Scheerer Bearing Corporation, Boca Bearings Co. Ltd, Adarsh Bearings Pvt. Ltd, Astro Bearings Corp., Qibr Bearing Co. Ltd, NSK-RHP (NSK UK), NTN-SNR Bearings.

North America was the largest region in the thrust bearings market in 2025. The regions covered in the thrust bearings market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the thrust bearings market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The thrust bearings market consists of sales of magnetic thrust bearings, fluid film thrust bearings, full complement thrust ball bearings, angular thrust ball bearings and thrust needle bearings. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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