Rail Greases Market

Global Rail Grease Market Snapshot

[283 Pages Report] Persistence Market Research, in their recent publication on the global rail grease market, predicted the market to witness a steady growth rate of 2.3% over the forecast period of 2023 to 2033. According to the report, the market is will reach a valuation of US$ 404.9 million by the end of 2033. Growth in new rail-line projects as well as maintenance of existing railway tracks are expected to boost the demand for rail grease in the forthcoming years.

Lubrication is one of the most crucial aspect of railway transportation, ranging from commercial freight trains to high end passenger trains. Technological advancements still manages to secure one of the leading spot in key success factors for manufacturers in the market. Incorporation of high efficiency and cutting edge lubrication solution to remain a key success factor in the market.

Lubrication of clutch buffers, traction motors, ball & screw guiding systems, overhead wiring systems, and other components are few prominent uses of railway grease. Growth in the freight train network, combined with rapid development in the metro train network around the world, is expected to boost worldwide demand over the forecast period.

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Historical Market Outlook (2018 to 2022) compared to Forecast (2023 to 2033)

In the recent past, world has witnessed numerous initiatives for infrastructure development. Railway transporation is considered as most efficient and pocket friendly mode of transportation worldwide. To improve inter-country connectivity and increase transportation ease, Railway network development always secures leading spots. Such investments in railway industry has promoted the market at a average growth rate 1.7% from 2018 to 2022.

Synthetic greases such as calcium and lithium-based Rail Greases, have been in the market for years and have reached a mature stage in the product lifecycle. Biodegradable and bio-based lubricants, which are still in the early phases of market adoption, are expected to increase rapidly in the future years.

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Market Dynamics

What is the key growth driver for the market?

“Increasing number of railway project significantly boosting market growth”

Due to the increased traffic of various passenger and freight transportation modes, the regional railway ministry is focusing on creating another option to provide a way for trains, such as an underground railway. Europe and Asia Pacific have a robust underground railway network.

Despite this, governments in both regions are setting aside considerable amounts of railway budget for railway construction, which is projected to fillip fresh demand for Rail Greases in the coming years. For example, the Trans-Asian Railway Network which is a regional transport cooperation platform is building railway connectivity between 28 member countries. The project has finished the building of 125,500 kilometers of railway lines by 2022.

Similarly, Asia Pacific and North America have a large number of elevated railway stations, generating a commercial opportunity for the Rail Greases industry, and the earnings of those players will be referred to as aftermarket.

How will automation in the railway industry bring significant opportunities in the rail grease market?

“Automation in railway industry making the market more opportunistic for rail grease manufacturers”

Automation has become the backbone of each industry, and the railway industry is no exception to this rule. In this industry, manufacturers are focused on connecting each component of train infrastructure with automatic technology.

Automatic fare collection and railway signaling systems, among others, are considered to be the best examples of automation in the metro train network. As automation rises, mechanical elements are continually in motion and under strain, necessitating a high lubrication need for the system to operate properly and without breakdown. As a result, the market of rail lubrication is becoming more opportunistic for rail grease manufacturers.

The rising penetration of automatic technology in metro train networks, coupled with the rising cognizance of automation technology, is expected to reel new opportunities for the global rail grease market over the stipulated period.

What is the key trend in the rail grease market?

“Introduction of bio-based greases to remain a key market trend”

Rail greases, particularly synthetic lubricants, have negative environmental and health implications and have a very low biodegradability percentage, resulting in tonnes of waste and loss into the environment. With regional governments focused on a greener approach, producers are manufacturing bio-based, biodegradable lubricants and greases that have no negative environmental impact.

Bio-based lubricants have a high biodegradability percentage, ranging from 90-95%, and a high flashing point, allowing them to resist higher temperatures than synthetic lubricants. As a result, lubricants have a longer and more durable life lifetime, and the operator saves money.

With several businesses introducing bio-based greases that can function on par with synthetic greases, such as Terresolve Technologies Ltd, Klüber Lubrication, and The Whitmore Group, their use is expected to skyrocket in the coming years.

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Category-wise Analysis

Which product type segment holds the largest market share?

“Lithium grease to mark the largest market share”

Lithium grease accounts for the largest market share based on the product category. Lithium grease has good water resistance, breakdown, and softening properties. It also has a higher melting point than other forms of grease. As a result, they can provide greater efficiency than continuous friction between railway wheels and rail lines.

Because of its excellent flow properties, lithium grease is used on a variety of train components such as the cardan shaft, brakes, axle boxes, and curved tooth coupling. The market for lithium grease will grow throughout the forecast period due to an increase in maintenance and repair operations for these parts.

How big is the market opportunity for railway vehicle elements?

“Railway vehicle elements to garner significant market opportunity during assessment period”

According to the analysis, the railway vehicle elements are expected to generate an absolute dollar opportunity of around US$ 50.0 million between 2023 and 2033. Railway vehicle components such as axles and wheels, bearings and chains, brake elements, interior components, and pantographs are subjected to significant friction during operation.

The use of grease on these elements reduces friction and enhances the efficiency of the railway engine. As several new railways, metro-railway, and high-speed railway projects are underway in various countries, the demand for rail grease for vehicle elements will increase during the assessment period.

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Region-wise Insights

Which region will provide ample growth opportunities in the market?

“South Asia will provide huge growth opportunity for rail grease market”

South Asia is an important region with numerous potential opportunities in the rail grease industry. The region is seeing significant growth in urban infrastructure and transportation services, including the metro railway for urban connectivity and high-speed rail projects to link various cities.

For example, the high-speed railway from Jakarta to Bandung, the East Coast Rail Link in Peninsula Malaysia, and high-speed rail projects in India, among others, are increasing the demand for rail grease. As these projects are completed in the future years, there will be a multifold increase in demand for these projects.

Why is North America a prominent marketplace for rail grease?

“North America to remain a prominent market for rail grease”

North America boasts the world's longest railway network. The United States alone has around 250,00 kilometers of railway lines, while Canada has approximately 50,000 km of the rail network.

During the winter, these rail lines are subjected to harsh weather conditions and may corrode. Rail grease has shown to be an excellent solution for these issues because it not only lubricates the surface but also prevents corrosion. Because of the constant need for rail grease from these countries, the market in North America is expected to develop gradually during the predicted period.

Competitive Landscape

The global market is becoming more fragmented. Various product launches and acquisitions have occurred in recent years; the same pattern is projected to continue in the next years, with increased profitability remaining the primary strategy driving these significant advancements.

To differentiate their products from competitors, prominent manufacturers are focusing on improving product quality through the implementation of new technologies and the adoption of novel lubricant compositions with enhanced features at a competitive pricing level. Because offline sales of rail grease products are well established in the market, manufacturers are looking for long-term contracts with dealers and suppliers to give income stability and prospects for expansion.

A few of the key developments in the industry are:

• In January 2023, RS Clare & Co. Ltd announced it has completed the acquisition of Igralub Holding GMBH, along with its subsidiaries in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, and its share of a joint venture in North America. This acquisition will provide RS Clare with access to Igralub’s advanced train-borne application system and monitoring technology and supports the company’s strategy to grow its railway business and offer a comprehensive range of friction management solutions.
• In December 2022, L.B. Foster announced a strategic partnership with FUCHS to develop friction management products for the rail industry.

Similarly, more developments related to companies manufacturing rail grease are been tracked by the team at Persistence Market Research, which is available in the full report.

Scope of Reports

Rail Grease Market Segmentation

By Product Type:

• Lithium Grease
• Calcium Grease
• Other Grease

By Application:

• Railway Vehicle Elements
  • Axles & Wheels
  • Bearings & Chains
  • Brake Elements
  • Interior Components
  • Pantographs
• Railway Track Elements
  • Switches & Fish Plates
  • Curve Rails
  • Screw & Bolts

By Distribution Channel:

• Online
• Offline

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• East Asia
• South Asia
• Oceania
• Middle East & Africa