Europe Plain Bearings Market Forecast to 2031 - Regional Analysis - by Product Type (Spherical Bearings, Rod Ends, and Bushings), Spherical Bearings (Radial, Angular, and Thrust), Rod Ends (Female Thread, Male Thread, and Welding Shank), and Application (Agriculture, Construction, Industrial Vehicles, Automotive and Transportation, Aerospace and Defense, Energy and Power, and Others)

The Europe plain bearings market was valued at US$ 2,311.74 million in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 3,552.74 million by 2031; it is estimated to register a CAGR of 5.5% from 2023 to 2031.

Increasing Investments in Railway and Aerospace & Defense Sectors Drive Europe Plain Bearings Market

Plain bearings are an integral part of commercial and passenger aircraft, helicopters, and jet fighters. Plain bearings with the AS 9100D quality certification standard are used in landing gears, flight controls in aerospace, engine manufacturing, passenger seating, and a wide variety of made-to-measure applications in the aerospace & defense sector. They are also used in navigation systems, target acquisition pods, counter-measuring systems, bearings propulsion, transmission and suspension systems, and control systems. Further, the thriving aerospace & defense sector due to rising government investment in the military sector drives the plain bearing market growth. According to the Aerospace and Defense Industry Association, in 2023, the global aerospace and defense industry revenue was valued at US$ 829 billion, increased by 11% compared to 2022; it is growing at a rapid pace with notable investments being made by the key players operating in the market. The civil aviation key companies such as Boeing, GE Aerospace, Rolls-Royce and Safran showed double-digit revenue growth. This has created a massive demand for aerospace components and shown increased demand for aerospace bearings to manufacture civil and commercial aviation.

Further, plain bearings are widely used in railways and metros to offer linear motion. These plain bearings are utilized in railway applications where axial loads need to be transferred in couplers and traction motors. Bearings serve as critical components within locomotives, freight cars, passenger coaches, and various railway infrastructures, enabling the seamless movement of wheels, axles, and other rotating parts. Increasing investments in the railway sector by several governments across the world drive the plain bearing market growth.

Public spending on the railways by the UK government was around US$ 33.34 billion in 2023, while in 2022, it was US$ 32.83 billion. Such growing investment in the railway sector drives the plain bearing market growth.

Europe Plain Bearings Market Overview

Europe accounted for 24.2% of the plain bearings market in 2023 and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. France, the UK, Spain, and Germany are among the key enablers of the market in this region owing to a high demand for plain bearings in the manufacturing of equipment required in industries such as automotive, aerospace & defense, agriculture, and renewable energy. Europe is home to automotive manufacturers. As per the International Organization for Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, the region recorded the manufacturing of ~18.12 million units of all vehicle types in 2023, at a more than 12% increase from 2022. In 2023, Germany accounted for the majority of total vehicle production in Europe, followed by Spain, France, and the UK, respectively. A surge in vehicle production in the region resulted in a significant demand for plain bearings in European countries.

Europe is home to large aerospace & defense companies, including Airbus SA, Thales Group, Safran S.A., Leonardo SpA, and Rolls Royce Holdings plc. These companies are engaged in expanding the production of aviation and defense fleets to fulfill the demand from clients. Plain bearings are essential in aircraft wing systems, flight control systems, auxiliary power units, landing gear, and others to achieve better fuel efficiency, extend maintenance intervals, and lower carbon emissions. Hence, the flourishing aerospace & defense industry is expected to fuel the demand for plain bearings in the region in the future.

Europe Plain Bearings Market Strategic Insights

Europe Plain Bearings Market Segmentation Analysis

The Europe plain bearings market is categorized into product type, application, and country.

Based on product type, the Europe plain bearings market is segmented into spherical bearings, rod ends, and bushings. The spherical bearings segment held the largest Europe plain bearings market share in 2023.

In terms of application, the Europe plain bearings market is segmented into agriculture, construction, industrial vehicles, automotive and transportation, aerospace and defense, energy and power, and others. The automotive and transportation segment held the largest Europe plain bearings market share in 2023.

By country, the Europe plain bearings market is segmented into Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, and the Rest of Europe. Germany dominated the Europe plain bearings market share in 2023.

Europe Plain Bearings Market Report Highlights

Europe Plain Bearings Market Company Profiles

Rheinmetall AG, RBC Bearings Incorporated, The Timken Co, NTN Corp, IKO International, Inc., SKF AB, and Regal Rexnord Corp. are some of the leading companies operating in the Europe plain bearings market.

Europe Plain Bearings Market Country and Regional Insights