Bearing as a component is in itself quite excluded with each category placing its important use in different machine parts and not limiting to specific manufacturing industry. Bearings have extensive use both in the industrial sector and automobile sector because of the functionality for which it is made; constraining relative motion to only the desired motion, and reducing friction between moving parts.

Indian market
The Indian bearing market is valued at approximately Rs 95 billion, representing less than 5 per cent of global bearing demand. About 60 per cent of the market’s consumption is fulfilled by domestic production, while the remainder is sourced through imports. The market is primarily dominated by international brands alongside local companies such as NEI and NRB. Although many players operate in the industry, competition remains moderate, with the top five companies holding around 80 per cent of the market share. Major market leaders benefit from strong technology partnerships with their foreign parent companies, which is crucial since bearings must meet high quality standards due to their use in essential machinery components.

Kaustubh V Phadtare, Managing Director, Kavitsu Group of Industries, elaborates, “Construction equipment uses a variety of bearings, right from three-row roller bearings to smaller single-row ball bearings. These are chosen based on the load ratings of the vehicles and whether they are dynamic or stationary. These bearings can be externally geared or internally geared, with a driving pinion shaft.”

According to Phadtare, bearings are an essential part of construction equipment as they help to reduce friction while rotating the surfaces. He adds, “Choosing the right bearing depending on the load rating and working cycle is very important, as wrong selection can be catastrophic. Also, proper and timely maintenance ensures that the bearing lasts for a longer period. Manufacturers must also follow strict quality checks so that there is no premature failure in the bearings.”

Emerging markets with significant infrastructure needs are driving the growth of construction equipment manufacturing, which in turn boosts the bearing market in the construction sector. Bearings are always in demand due to their essential role in equipment, primarily by reducing friction. They also support loads, enhance power transmission efficiency, and maintain alignment. These features allow machinery to operate longer and more efficiently. However, selecting the appropriate bearing for specific applications is crucial for achieving optimal machine efficiency. Additionally, regular bearing maintenance is vital for ensuring both the bearing’s and the machine’s performance. Proper lubrication is a key to maintaining bearings and extending their lifespan.

“India is becoming a global manufacturing hub, which means the demand for industrial bearings will continue to expand. Fuelling further economic development and the need for bearings is the country’s strong consumer base and skilled workforce. Considerable growth is projected for construction equipment as government initiatives to boost the country’s infrastructure take effect. This equipment will capitalise on a longstanding trend for bearings to effectively manage heightened power density. Construction equipment is constantly evolving toward higher efficiency, lower carbon footprint and greater productivity. Rolling and sliding bearings are advancing in tandem towards lower friction, higher speeds and higher load carrying capabilities,” said Pramod Francis, Head – Application Engineering, CCTY Bearing India.

Growth trend
The global bearings market for construction equipment is witnessing significant growth, driven by several factors. Governments worldwide are investing heavily in infrastructure projects, leading to increased demand for construction equipment and, consequently, bearings.

The introduction of smart bearings equipped with sensors for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance is revolutionising the industry. These innovations enhance the reliability and efficiency of construction machinery. Similarly, there is a growing emphasis on eco-friendly practices in the construction sector. Manufacturers are exploring the use of materials and designs that minimise environmental impact, such as recyclable bearing materials. Also, the rise of electric construction equipment is altering bearing design and material requirements.

Technological innovation
Phadtare explains, “Kavitsu provides solutions for every range of the product comprised in the construction equipment portfolio. The major products include bearings for excavators, crawlers, tower cranes, telescopic cranes, truck-mounted cranes, bridge repair cranes, and so on. Also, smaller bearings are supplied for bulldozers and road rollers.”

CCTY Bearing’s most recent innovation is the Square Ball Universal Joint. Francis adds, “This patented design replaces a convention universal joint in intermittent applications, such as steering. The maintenance-free bearing has just eight components.”

As a key supplier to the CE market, CCTY Bearing invests in both its products and partnerships. The most notable is a new manufacturing plant in Gujarat. The facility provides 25,100 m2 of manufacturing, warehouse and engineering assistance. This expanded footprint in India will join CCTY Bearing’s global network of offices that provide engineering support, design assistance and warehousing for JIT delivery. Product expansion includes the formulation and development of propriety PTFE and POM-based sliding layer materials. These maintenance-free options for bushes and spherical plain bearings extend the bearing’s life while reducing wear and fatigue. An in-house research and development lab allows customers to achieve application-specific designs and lubrication formulas for maximum load and life.

SKF is a big player in the lubrication systems area for mobile and earthmoving machinery to lubricate chassis parts, pins, bushes, steering arms, brake cams, slewing rings, buckets and boom parts. We are also working on intelligent, need-based lubrication systems to reduce the overall lubricant consumption and its associated costs.

Timken works closely with its customers and provides design and application recommendations to optimise performance and reliability. In other words, our latest innovation in bearings with appropriate modifications like fuel efficiency, debris resistance, improved life, etc. has been designed and produced based on customer requirements.

AKSH Manufacturing has around 100 units of standard variants for AKSH slew ring bearings including without gear and with external or internal gear. The company manufactures bearings of outer diameter ranging from 120 mm to 1,500 mm. Apart from a standard set of bearings, the company does customisation based on the specific requirement of customers as we have our own technology. We do 40 per cent of business in customised slew bearings. We will be shortly introducing our range of high-performance slew drives with minimum of 50 units of standard variants.

Road ahead
Bearings play a critical role in the construction equipment industry, and their importance will only continue to grow as technological advancements and global infrastructure needs evolve. While challenges such as competition from Chinese imports and quality control persist, initiatives like Make in India present exciting opportunities for domestic manufacturers. By focusing on innovation, sustainability, and local production, the bearings market can thrive in the dynamic landscape of the construction equipment sector, ultimately contributing to global economic growth and infrastructure development.