Air Bearings Market Trends

Global Air Bearings Market Overview

Air Bearings Market Size was valued at USD 4.5 billion in 2022. The air bearings market industry is projected to grow from USD 4.8402 Billion in 2023 to USD 7.49493 billion by 2030, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.56% during the forecast period (2023 - 2030). The increasing demand for high-precision motion control systems and the need for high-speed and high-load capacity bearings in various industrial applications. The benefits of air bearings, such as high speed, low friction, and precise control, make them ideal for use in industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, medical equipment, and automation are the key market drivers enhancing market growth.

Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Air Bearings Market Trends

• Increasing demand for high-precision motion control systems is driving the market growth

Market CAGR for air bearing is rising due to increasing demand for high-precision motion control systems. The increasing demand for high-precision motion control systems is one of the drivers of the air bearings market. Air bearings provide precise control, low friction, and high speed, making them ideal for high-precision applications such as semiconductor manufacturing, medical equipment, and automation. As the demand for these systems continues to grow, the demand for air bearings also increases.

Additionally, the need for high-speed and high-load capacity bearings is another driver of the air bearings market. Aerospace, defense, and automotive industries require high-speed and high-load capacity bearings to operate efficiently and safely. Air bearings can operate at high speeds and support high loads, making them ideal for such applications. As a result, the demand for air bearings is increasing in these industries.

The growing demand for automation is another driver of the air bearings market. Automation is becoming increasingly prevalent in the manufacturing, aerospace, and semiconductor production industries. Air bearings are preferred in such applications as they provide high precision, low friction, and low vibration motion control. This increases accuracy and efficiency in automated processes, resulting in increased productivity and cost savings. As automation continues to grow, the demand for air bearings is also expected to increase. Thus, driving the air bearings market revenue.

Air Bearings Market Segment Insights

Air Bearings Type Insights

Based on type, the air bearings market segmentation includes hydrostatic/aerostatic and hydrodynamic/aerodynamic. The hydrostatic/Aerostatic segment dominates the market during the forecast period. The hydrostatic/aerostatic type of air bearings generally provides higher precision and load capacity than the hydrodynamic/aerodynamic type, making it a preferred choice for high-precision applications in industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, and defense. The hydrostatic/aerostatic type of air bearings utilizes a thin film of pressurized air or fluid to create a gap between the bearing and the moving part, eliminating the need for physical contact and friction. The hydrostatic part of the bearing uses a fluid, such as oil or water, to create the pressure and lift needed to support the moving part. In contrast, the aerostatic part of the bearing uses pressurized air to maintain a small gap between the bearing and the moving part.

Air Bearings Application Insights

Based on application, the air bearings market segmentation includes precision machine tools and high-speed machines. The precision machine tools segment is expected to hold a significant share of the air bearings market. Air bearings are widely used in precision machinery tools to achieve high accuracy and precision in manufacturing processes. High-speed machines are also a major application area for air bearings, but the precision machinery tools segment is expected to dominate the market. The "others" segment may include applications such as measuring instruments, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and medical devices.

The high-speed machines industry is likely to rise fast throughout the forecast period due to increased demand for high-speed and high-precision motion control systems in different sectors such as semiconductors, aerospace, and military. Using air bearings in high-speed machines allows for high accuracy, precision, and stability, making them ideal for applications such as machine tools, spindles, and rotary tables.

Figure 1 Air Bearings Market, by Application, 2022 & 2030 (USD billion)

Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Air Bearings End-user Insights

Based on end-user, the air bearings market data includes aviation, automotive, medical, space, HVAC, microturbine, compressors, semiconductors, and wastewater management. The aviation segment is one of the significant end-user segments in the air bearings market. The use of air bearings in the aviation industry helps to reduce friction and noise, increase accuracy and efficiency, and improve the overall performance of aircraft components such as turbines, rotors, and compressors. Air bearings are also used in flight simulators and ground support equipment in the aviation industry. The increasing demand for air travel and the growing number of aircraft orders are expected to drive the growth of the aviation segment in the air bearings market.

Air Bearings Regional Insights

By Region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. The North American air bearings market will dominate due to the presence of established aerospace and defense industries and the increasing adoption of automation in various industries. Additionally, the increasing demand for high-precision machinery and equipment in the medical, semiconductor, and manufacturing industries is likely to drive the growth of the North American air bearings market.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are The U.S., Canada, German, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Europe air bearings market accounts for the second-largest market share due to the region's strong focus on research and development. Technological advancements in the manufacturing sector are expected to create new opportunities for market growth in the coming years. The increasing demand for automation and high-precision motion control systems is driving market growth in the region. Further, the German air bearings market held the largest market share, and the UK air bearings market was the fastest-growing market in the European region

The Asia-Pacific Air Bearings Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2023 to 2030 due to the increasing demand for high-precision machine tools and equipment in countries such as China, Japan, and India. Additionally, the growth of the semiconductor industry in the region is also expected to drive the demand for air bearings in the manufacturing processes of semiconductors. Moreover, China’s air bearings market held the largest market share, and the Indian air bearings market was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Air Bearings Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Leading market companies are extensively spending on R&D to extend their product lines, which will help the air bearings market grow even more. Market participants are also undertaking various strategic activities to expand their footprint, with important market developments including new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, higher investments, and collaboration with other organizations. The air bearings industry must offer cost-effective items to expand and survive in a more competitive and rising market climate.

Manufacturing locally to minimize operational costs is one of the key business tactics manufacturers use in the air bearings industry to benefit clients and increase the market sector. In recent years, the air bearings industry has offered some of the most significant medical advantages. Major players in the air bearings market, including APG-Neuros Inc., Mohawk Innovative Technology Inc., IBS Precision Engineering, Air Bearings Ltd., Capstone Turbine Corporation, and others, are attempting to increase market demand by investing in research and development operations.

Capstone Turbine Corporation manufactures microturbine energy systems that use air bearings to achieve high efficiency and reliability. Air bearings are one form of bearing that uses a thin film of compressed air to support a load and reduce friction. In Capstone's microturbines, air bearings support the turbine rotor, allowing it to spin at high speeds with minimal wear and tear.

For Instance, in August 2022, Sekito The distributor for Capstone Green Energy Company in Malaysia and Brunei has received an order for a 200 kW microturbine-based system for a big  oil and gas company's oil and gas application. One ATEX-certified Capstone C200S microturbine will be used in the new system. This retrofit system will provide prime power for an offshore wellhead platform in Sarawak, Malaysia, replacing an old Calnetix Power Solutions TA100 microturbine already on-site.

Mohawk Innovative Technology Inc. (MiTi) is a company that specializes in the design and manufacture of advanced air-bearing products. Air bearings are a type of bearing that uses a thin film of compressed air to support a load and reduce friction. MiTi's air bearings are used in various applications, including high-speed machinery, precision manufacturing, and aerospace systems. In 2021, MiTi announced that it had successfully tested a new air bearing designed to improve high-speed machinery's stability and precision. The new bearing uses a unique fluid dynamic design that reduces vibration and improves load capacity, enabling faster and more accurate motion control.

Key Companies in the air bearings market include

• APG-Neuros Inc.


• Mohawk Innovative Technology Inc.


• IBS Precision Engineering


• Air Bearings Ltd.


• Capstone Turbine Corporation


• Leuven Air Bearings NV


• Bladon Jets


• Hot Air Systems Inc.


• Honeywell International Inc.

Air Bearings Market Segmentation

Air Bearings Type Outlook

• Hydrostatic/Aerostatic


• Hydrodynamic/Aerodynamic

Air Bearings Application Outlook

• Precision Machinery Tools


• High-speed Machines


• Others

Air Bearings End-user Outlook

• Aviation


• Automotive


• Medical


• Space


• HVAC


• Microturbine


• Compressors


• Semiconductor


• Wastewater Management


• Others

Air Bearings Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America
  
  
  
  

Air Bearings Industry Developments

For instance, August 2022 Dedert has introduced a new air-bearing atomizer for spray drying applications that is sturdy, low-maintenance, and trouble-free.

For instance, July 2021 Sandvik RR240, a new air bearing with all the benefits of earlier generations of Sandvik RR321, Sandvik RR221, and Sandvik RR222 rotary bits. Sandvik RR240 has a longer bit life than conventional products, greater penetration rates and lower total drilling costs.