Greasing System Market

Market Overview

The global greasing system market size is witnessing robust growth during the forecast period of 2020 to 2029. In 2019 the market for the global greasing system was valued at around USD 1,573.5 million.

A greasing system is a machine that provides grease in controlled amounts to multiple locations. It delivers grease between two rubbing surfaces to reduce friction. This system helps in the smooth movement of machines or equipment. The market has been segmented into type and end-user. By type, the greasing system is bifurcated into a manual and automatic greasing system. The automatic system is registering high growth as it takes less time to lubricate machine parts as well as eliminates any errors that occur by the manual greasing system. Greasing systems increase mechanical reliability and provide long-term protection of equipment.

Market Dynamics

Growth of Automotive Industry

The global automobile industry is taking huge strides and is evolving at an unparalleled rate. With increasing disposal incomes and low-cost EMIs and ever-changing technologies in the industry attracting the newer generation, the demand for automobiles has been growing. The pandemic has raised unprecedented challenges in the industry, and demand has plummeted amid uncertainties as to when economic activities will entirely recover. But the industry is expected to gain pace once again as circumstances return to normalcy.

The U.S. automobile industry is one of the biggest in the world. As per the International Trade Administration (ITA), the U.S. Department of Commerce, the total sales of light vehicles were pegged at around 17 million units in 2018. Furthermore, total foreign direct investment in the automotive industry reached USD 115 billion in 2018, and investment in RandD activities amounted to USD 105 billion. These factors indicate a favorable scenario for the growth of the automobile industry. The increasing demand for electric vehicles will further propel the need for lubrication systems in automobiles and, in turn, create market opportunities for greasing systems during the forecast period.

Increased Downtime in Manual Greasing

Manual greasing is a conventional lubrication practice that has been in practice for a long time. For manual greasing, systems need to be shut down, which increases downtime, increases costs, and in turn, leads to the extension of delivery deadlines. Furthermore, there are challenges in accessing the lubrication points.

Even though the manual lubrication segment holds a large market share, it has several own disadvantages. Lack of lubrication, coupled with inefficient manual greasing practices, can often result in over-lubrication, which can hamper the proper functioning of machines. A study has shown that inappropriate lubrication accounts for around 53% of all bearing failures in machines and is a key cause for unnecessary maintenance and downtime. Automatic greasing systems overcome the problems posed by manual greasing and are anticipated to note higher adoption during the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

Asia-Pacific is Dominating the Greasing System Market

Asia-Pacific region held the largest market share in 2019. Moreover, the region is growing at a CAGR of 5.4% over the forecast period 2020-2029.

Asia-Pacific is not only the biggest but also one of the most diverse regions in terms of land area and population. The region’s economic outlook continues to be strong and dynamic. It comprises economies emerging as key manufacturing hubs, with the abundant availability of natural resources and inexpensive labor attracting investments. As per the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific (UNESCAP), the region attracted around 45% of the global foreign direct investment (FDI) and accounted for about 52% of global FDI outflows in 2018; India and China are the two growth engines for the regional market.

China, one of the key economies globally, is a manufacturing behemoth. Naturally, machinery equipment associated with food and beverage, automotive, and mining continues to register strong demand in the country.

The ASEAN region, due to its heavy machinery industry growth, exhibits promise for the greasing systems market. Factors such as growing real estate, mining activities, and rise in government spending in infrastructure development are contributing to the growth story of ASEAN and paving the way for the need for lubrication in equipment used across various end-use industries.

India is one of the fastest-growing economies, and its latest emphasis on domestic production and the subsequent opening of FDI has created a conducive environment for the market. India’s construction market is pegged to grow twice as fast as China’s, as the Indian government is undertaking a smart city mission that aims to foster sustainable and inclusive cities.

Construction plays a crucial role in the prosperity of societies globally and is expected to be one of the most dynamic sectors in the coming years. As per data by Oxford Economics, the global construction sector is likely to grow to USD 8 trillion, driven by China, the U.S, and India.

Central and South America and the Caribbean are anticipated to record a considerable growth rate in the greasing systems market. The U.S.-China trade war is translating to healthy growth in Central and South America and the Caribbean's greasing systems market. Brazil, Argentina, and Columbia are emerging as investment hubs for foreign investors.

The respective governments are directing their focus on internal development through initiatives, such as building special economic zones (SEZs), for more robust economic development. For instance, Central and South America and the Caribbean have more than 500 SEZs that host around 10,000 enterprises and over one million employees. SEZs feature industrial parks and development zones that foster technological upgrades.

Segmental Analysis

Automatic Greasing System to Grow at a Higher Pace

The automatic Greasing system is growing at a significant growth rate during the forecast period 2020-2029. Automatic lubrication systems use a centralized lubrication system that greases various lubrication points efficiently and uniformly, which keeps the machine/equipment lubricated while it is still running, saving the downtime costs associated with manual greasing. With the increase in automation and adoption of the Just in Time (JIT) method, companies are looking to adopt systems that reduce their downtimes and increase efficiency.

A study has shown that inappropriate lubrication accounts for around 53% of all bearing failures in machines and is a key cause for unnecessary maintenance and downtime. Automatic greasing systems are expected to have significant growth potential in the coming years, thus, are expected to augment market growth.

Industrial Manufacturing Largest End-User Segment for Greasing System

The segment accounted for around 23% market share in the global greasing system market in 2019. Industrial manufacturing supplies products or raw materials used to manufacture other goods. Global manufacturing production registered an overall slowdown in 2019, which was compounded by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Economic activities in most economies suffered due to nation-wide lockdowns. China was one of the few countries in the world that underwent a lockdown earlier than other economies and is now showing signs of early economic recovery.

As per the World Manufacturing Production Outlook by UNIDO, global manufacturing output in the second quarter of 2020experienced a noticeable Y-o-Y decline of around 11.2% due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The post-COVID-19 scenario will see companies adopting automation for various processes. The industrial manufacturing sector uses machinery and equipment, such as electric motors, compressors, and conveyors, among others, which require constant greasing to work uninterrupted without unexpected breakdowns.

Figure 1: Global Greasing System Market Share, by End-User, 2019

Source: SR Analysis, Government Publications, Secondary Research