Bearing Steel Global Market Report 2026

Bearing steel is a specialized steel crafted to meet the unique demands of bearings, characterized by its exceptional hardness, strength, and wear resistance. This type of steel is employed across various industries and is particularly suitable for applications that involve substantial friction and wear.

The primary categories of bearing steel products include high carbon chromium steel, carburizing steel, high-temperature steel, and others. High carbon chromium steel, for instance, is a steel variant with elevated levels of both carbon and chromium. This composition renders it highly resistant to corrosion, making it well-suited for applications that demand exceptional corrosion resistance, such as aircraft components, surgical instruments, and marine parts. Bearing steel products are used in a range of applications, including ball bearings, roller bearings, thrust bearings, plain bearings, and more, serving diverse end-user sectors like automotive, aerospace, machinery and equipment, energy, construction, and various others.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs on steel imports and alloying elements have impacted the bearing steel market by increasing raw material costs and affecting global supply chains, particularly for high carbon chromium and carburizing steels. Asia-Pacific and Europe, which serve as major manufacturing and export hubs, are most affected by these trade measures. While higher tariffs have led to increased production costs and pricing pressures, they have also encouraged localization of steel production, investments in domestic capacity expansion, and innovation in cost-efficient bearing steel manufacturing processes.

The bearing steel market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides bearing steel market statistics, including bearing steel industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a bearing steel market share, detailed bearing steel market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the bearing steel industry. This bearing steel market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The bearing steel market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $6.84 billion in 2025 to $7.06 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in automotive manufacturing, increasing industrial machinery deployment, rising demand for roller and ball bearings, expansion of construction activities, technological improvements in steel metallurgy.

The bearing steel market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $8.38 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising adoption of electric vehicles, growing automation in manufacturing, increased demand from renewable energy sector, advancements in aerospace engineering, focus on long-life and low-maintenance bearings. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for high-performance bearing materials, increasing adoption of high carbon chromium steel, growing use of advanced heat treatment processes, expansion of precision bearing applications, rising focus on wear and fatigue resistance.

The expanding automotive industry is expected to drive the growth of the bearing steel market in the coming years. The automotive industry includes a wide range of businesses involved in the design, development, production, marketing, and sale of automobiles. Bearing steel is a key component in vehicles, as it helps reduce their weight while being both lightweight and durable. It also offers significant advantages such as reduced friction, corrosion resistance, and enhanced durability. For example, in March 2025, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, a Belgium-based trade group, reported that in 2024, global car sales reached 74.6 million units, marking a 2.5% increase compared to 2023. The EU car market grew by 0.8% in 2024, with total sales reaching 10.6 million units, while car sales in North America showed resilience, recording a 3.8% growth. Therefore, the growth of the automotive industry is fueling the expansion of the bearing steel market.

Key companies in the bearing steel market are focusing on product innovation, such as developing spindle bearings, to maintain their market standing. Spindle bearings are specialized bearings designed to support and guide spindle rotation in machinery, offering high precision, rigidity, and load-bearing capacity for applications like turning, milling, and grinding. For example, in September 2023, Schaeffler, a Germany-based leader in bearing technology, launched new super precision cylindrical roller bearings aimed at enhancing performance in high-load applications, such as main spindles in machinery. These bearings feature an advanced PEEK cage construction that reduces friction and wear, leading to improved lubrication and lower operating temperatures. The design optimizes oil distribution, enhancing the reliability of non-locating bearing functions even at high speeds. Additionally, Schaeffler's hybrid variants, with ceramic rollers, further reduce friction and extend the lifespan of spindles and machinery, broadening their applicability in precision engineering.

In February 2023, The Timken Company, a US-based bearings and power transmissions manufacturer, acquired American Roller Bearing Company for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition will help The Timken Company expand its advanced industrial-bearing product portfolio. American Roller Bearing Company is a US-based manufacturer of steel bearings used in various applications, including automotive, aerospace and machinery.

Major companies operating in the bearing steel market report are China Baowu Steel Group Corp. Ltd., Nippon Steel Corporation, Tata Steel Limited, HBIS Group Co. Ltd., Kobe Steel Ltd., Nanjing Iron and Steel Co. Ltd., Saarstahl AG, Daido Steel Co. Ltd., Fushun Special Steel Co. Ltd., Jiangsu Suzhou Steel Group Co. Ltd., EZM Edelstahlzieherei Mark GmbH, Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, JTEKT Corporation, MinebeaMitsumi Inc., AB SKF, NSK Ltd., NTN Corporation, The Timken Company, Wafangdian Guangyang Bearing Group Co. Ltd., Nachi-Fujikoshi Corp., National Engineering Industries Ltd., Fujian Longxi Bearing (Group) Corp. Ltd., Luoyang LYC Bearing Co. Ltd., Dongil Industries Co. Ltd., HKT Bearings Limited, RKB Europe SA, THB Bearings Co. Ltd., Harbin Bearing Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Del-Tron Precision Inc.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the bearing steel market in 2025 and is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the bearing steel market are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the bearing steel market are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The bearing steel market consists of sales of hybrid bearings, stainless steel bearings, bearing steel tubes and wire. 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.

Bearing Steel Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses bearing steel market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for bearing steel ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The bearing steel market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Product Type: High Carbon Chromium; Carburizing; High Temperature
• 2) By Application: Ball Bearings; Roller Bearings; Thrust Bearings; Other Applications
• 3) By End Use: Automotive; Aerospace; Machinery And Equipment; Energy; Other End Uses
• Subsegments:
• 1) By High Carbon Chromium: 100Cr6 (AISI 52100); 440C Stainless Steel
• 2) By Carburizing: 8620 Steel; 9310 Steel
• 3) By High Temperature: M50 Steel; M42 Steel
• Companies Mentioned: China Baowu Steel Group Corp. Ltd.; Nippon Steel Corporation; Tata Steel Limited; HBIS Group Co. Ltd.; Kobe Steel Ltd.; Nanjing Iron and Steel Co. Ltd.; Saarstahl AG; Daido Steel Co. Ltd.; Fushun Special Steel Co. Ltd.; Jiangsu Suzhou Steel Group Co. Ltd.; EZM Edelstahlzieherei Mark GmbH; Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG; JTEKT Corporation; MinebeaMitsumi Inc.; AB SKF; NSK Ltd.; NTN Corporation; The Timken Company; Wafangdian Guangyang Bearing Group Co. Ltd.; Nachi-Fujikoshi Corp.; National Engineering Industries Ltd.; Fujian Longxi Bearing (Group) Corp. Ltd.; Luoyang LYC Bearing Co. Ltd.; Dongil Industries Co. Ltd.; HKT Bearings Limited; RKB Europe SA; THB Bearings Co. Ltd.; Harbin Bearing Manufacturing Co. Ltd.; Del-Tron Precision Inc.
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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