In 2026, the demand for advanced special bearings and customized bearing components continues to grow as industries require higher performance, longer service life, and reliable operation under increasingly challenging conditions. From high-speed machinery and robotics to electric vehicles, semiconductor equipment, and heavy industrial systems, traditional standard bearings are often unable to meet complex application requirements. Customized and application-specific bearing solutions are becoming a key technology trend for global OEM manufacturers seeking improved efficiency, reliability, and reduced maintenance costs.
As a result, special bearings and customized bearing and parts or compoments solutions are becoming increasingly important for global OEM manufacturers, equipment builders, and industrial users. By combining advanced materials, precision manufacturing technologies, and application-specific engineering, customized bearings help improve equipment efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and extend operational reliability.
MTWB focuses on providing engineered bearing solutions tailored to customer requirements, supporting industries that require higher performance than standard catalog bearings can provide.
Special bearings refer to engineered bearing solutions designed for specific operating requirements beyond conventional bearing applications. Unlike standard bearings manufactured according to general specifications, special bearings are optimized according to factors such as load conditions, speed requirements, operating environments, lubrication methods, and equipment design limitations.
Common types of special bearings include:
High precision bearings
Miniature and small bearings
Ceramic bearings
Hybrid ceramic bearings
Solid lubrication bearings
Stainless steel bearings
Thin section bearings
High temperature bearings
Corrosion-resistant bearings
Customized ball and roller bearings
These specialized bearing solutions are widely used in industries where reliability and performance are critical.
Modern industrial equipment is becoming faster, smaller, and more intelligent. From automated production lines to precision machinery, manufacturers require bearings that can achieve:
Higher rotational accuracy
Lower friction
Reduced noise
Longer operating life
Improved energy efficiency
Special bearings provide optimized solutions for these advanced requirements.
Many industries operate under conditions where conventional bearings face significant limitations.
Examples include:
High-temperature environments
Dust and contamination exposure
Vacuum applications
Corrosive environments
High-speed operation
Heavy impact loads
Special bearing technologies, including ceramic materials, solid lubrication, and customized sealing solutions, help overcome these challenges.
The rapid development of electric vehicles, robotics, semiconductor equipment, renewable energy systems, and automation technologies is creating new opportunities for advanced bearing solutions.
These industries require bearings with:
Electrical insulation capability
Lightweight design
High-speed performance
High reliability
Compact structures
Customized bearings are becoming a key component in improving next-generation equipment performance.
OEM customers increasingly prefer customized bearing suppliers because standard bearings cannot always meet specific application requirements.
Professional customized bearing manufacturers provide:
From application analysis and design optimization to prototype development.
Selection of suitable bearing materials according to load, speed, temperature, and environment.
Advanced machining, grinding, assembly, and inspection processes ensure consistent quality.
Customized solutions help customers improve equipment reliability and reduce total ownership costs.
The global bearing industry is navigating a rapidly shifting landscape as multiple jurisdictions impose "special measures" affecting trade, costs, and supply chains. From the United Kingdom aggressive steel tariff hikes to the Eurasian Economic Union extended anti-dumping duties on Chinese bearings, manufacturers worldwide are recalibrating their sourcing strategies. Meanwhile, China bearing industry is achieving record-breaking technological breakthroughs, accelerating domestic substitution in ultra-large and precision bearing segments.
Effective July 1, 2026, the United Kingdom implemented stricter steel import controls, raising steel import tariffs from 25% to 50% while reducing tariff-free import quotas by approximately 60%.The new measure covers 20 product categories and brings bright bar, wire, and stainless steel into scope for the first time.
The policy has triggered serious concerns within the UK regarding domestic bearing manufacturing capabilities. On June 18, 2026, UK Parliament formally questioned the government on the potential impact of the 50% steel tariff on the UK's sovereign capability to manufacture ball bearings. Minister Chris McDonald MP confirmed that the government had engaged "extensively with both primary steel producers and downstream users," including a Call for Evidence in July 2025.
However, no specific assessment of the tariff's effect on UK ball-bearing manufacturing was confirmed – and industry observers warn the omission matters. Ball bearings are an unavoidable input to nearly every rotating defence platform in service, including helicopter rotor hubs, aircraft engines, and missile systems. The policy gap has raised commercial and sovereign risk concerns across the defence supply chain.
Dame Harriett Baldwin MP warned that the tariffs "will adversely impact upstream British manufacturing, defence and aerospace sectors". Local manufacturers face a massive increase in costs, with the government acknowledging that the 50% tariff applies to steel that "British manufacturers cannot always source" domestically.
The Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) has decided to extend anti-dumping measures on rolling bearings (excluding needle roller bearings) originating from China. The sunset review concluded with the decision to maintain anti-dumping duties, with the relevant ruling published on April 30, 2026.
The extension adds to the mounting trade pressures facing Chinese bearing exporters in the Eurasian market. Notably, the EAEU has also launched a second sunset review investigation into the case, with the investigation period covering April 2024 to March 2025.
Facing a complex international environment, China bearing industry is accelerating the pursuit of independent, controllable production of high-end products through technological innovation and capacity expansion.
"Wall-Breaker" Main Spindle Bearing: Led by the Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with more than 20 research institutions and enterprises, an 8-meter-class ultra-large shield machine main bearing – the "Wall-Breaker" – was successfully developed. This breakthrough overcomes key technologies in the development of high-speed, high-precision machine tool bearings and high-temperature, high-reliability aero-engine main bearings, establishing a complete chain from "design–materials–manufacturing–application" for high-end bearings.
World Record Main Spindle Bearing: A main bearing developed in Hubei Province for an 18-meter-class shield machine set three world records – a diameter of 8.61 meters, a single-unit weight of 62 tons, and an axial load capacity of 100,000 kN.
Mining Heavy Equipment Bearings: Luoyang LYC Bearing Co., Ltd. , in collaboration with CITIC Heavy Industries, successfully developed an extra-large mining heavy equipment bearing (870 mm outer diameter), filling a critical gap in the industry supply chain.
High-End Bearing Steel: Xingcheng Special Steel achieved domestic substitution breakthroughs for third-generation and above hub bearing steel, capturing over 80% market share. The fatigue life of domestically produced bearing steel reaches 1.3 times that of imported materials
Specialty Steel Patent: Chinese steel manufacturer ZN Steel obtained a new patent for high-end specialty steel that addresses bearing fatigue crack issues.
Specialty Aerospace Bearings: Despite booming commercial aerospace demand, Sinomach Precision Industry (002046.SZ) stated in January 2026 that it has no current plans to expand specialty aerospace bearing production lines.
Specialty Bearing Capacity Expansion: Shengzhou Fenghua Machinery Technology Co., Ltd. has received approval to build a project with an annual production capacity of 15 million sets of specialty bearings.
Northwest Bearing convened an industry expert symposium in June 2026 to provide strategic guidance for its transformation and upgrading.
Xin Qiang Lian announced it will continue to focus on high-value-added products, including large-megawatt main bearings.
With extensive experience in bearing engineering and manufacturing, MTWB provides customized bearing solutions for global OEM customers and industrial applications.
Our capabilities include:
Customized deep groove ball bearings
Miniature precision bearings
Ceramic bearing solutions
Solid lubrication bearings
Special application bearings
OEM replacement bearings
Based on customer drawings, samples, or application requirements, MTWB supports the complete process from engineering evaluation to mass production.
Since 2015, MTWB has specialized in the production of micro-size, low-noise ball bearings and flanged thin-section bearings. With over 18 years of experience in sourcing and technical consultancy, MTWB bridges Hong Kong quality control standards with cost-efficient manufacturing in China.
To date, MTWB has helped over 100 OEM customers worldwide find the right bearing solutions for their applications across a wide range of industries, including automation, robotics, medical aviation, automotive, material handling, agricultural machinery, and precision engineering.
MTWB's portfolio covers miniature bearings, track roller bearings, precision bearings, standard bearings, customized bearings, as well as LSB and bearing parts or assemblies. The company provides full engineering support – from prototype development all the way to high-volume production
MTWB's newly launched official website – www.mtwb-customized-bearing.com – introduces a complete Customized Bearing & Services model, enabling customers to move seamlessly from technical.consultation and drawing evaluation through prototype development, production, quality inspection, and worldwide delivery.
Key capabilities include:
High-Speed Performance: Precision grinding, optimized raceway geometry, high-grade bearing steel, ceramic ball options, and advanced lubrication systems ensure reliable performance at high rotational speeds.
Corrosion Resistance: Stainless steel bearings, hybrid ceramic bearings, full ceramic bearings, and special surface coatings for humid, chemical, or marine environments.
Wear Resistance and Heavy Loads: Custom-engineered solutions maintaining dimensional stability under continuous loading.
MTWB offers bearings produced to the standard of leading international OEMs, with high precision classes of P6 or above. Every single bearing undergoes rigorous quality inspection before shipment, ensuring it precisely meets your technical specifications.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Mighty Way Industrial Limited (MTWB)
Email: sales@mtwbearing.com
Website: www.mtwb-customized-bearing.com
Address: Room 13-15, 19/F, Nan Fung Centre, 264-298 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan, N.T., Hong Kong
