Friction Material Market

Global Friction Material Market Size (2024 to 2029)

The friction material market size was valued at USD 23.44 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.75% to reach USD 29.56 billion in 2029.

MARKET OVERVIEW

Friction materials are substances that generate friction between two solid surfaces to control or restrict their forward and backward motion. Both organic and inorganic materials, including resin, ceramics, fibers, and metals, are used to produce friction materials. Given that brakes rely on friction to stop and decelerate, friction materials are crucial to the brake system.

Friction finds its application in braking systems, which are used to stop vehicles. When brakes are applied, the brake pads on your car make contact with the brake discs, causing friction between them that generates heat and restricts the motion of the wheels, slowing or stopping your vehicle. An object that is in motion possesses kinetic energy, and to bring the object to a stop, the kinetic energy must be removed. This kinetic energy can be eliminated by transferring it into another form of energy or dissipating it into the atmosphere through friction. A mechanical brake uses friction to change the vehicle's kinetic energy into thermal energy, which is then lost to the atmosphere.

MARKET DRIVERS

The rapid rise in demand for friction products and materials from the automotive and rail-end users’ industries is driving the market share for friction materials. Friction materials are adaptable to any application because they are available in a wide range of types and shapes. As a result of the development of technologies in the automotive industry, manufacturers are introducing new, innovative products that use friction materials. The various uses of friction materials which includes friction discs, clutch disc, clutch facing, brake pads, brake linings, brake shoes, and brake block are also the key factors in driving the market.

High-temperature resistance, heat resistance, high friction coefficient, energy absorption, durability, and wear and tear resistance are all properties of friction materials that are anticipated to boost consumer demand and fuel the expansion of the global market for friction materials. The market for friction materials is expanding due to the rising demand for electric vehicles in the world's major economies and the government's announcement of incentives that have reduced the price of EVs significantly.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

Newly designed cars with high speeds have emerged on the market due to the development of innovative technology and a variety of design processes, posing significant challenges for the engineers who design braking systems to control the vehicle's speed. The market is being restricted by the ban of asbestos as a braking material in many parts of the world due to widespread complaints that it is a carcinogenic substance. The automobile brake friction industry and people are searching for suitable alternatives to replace asbestos material.

REPORT COVERAGE

SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

Global Friction Material Market By Business Type

Aftersales hold the highest market share in this business type segment and are predicted to grow at a higher CAGR over the forecasted period. In the automotive industry, clutch and brake systems are where friction materials are most frequently used. The vehicle can stop more quickly when there is more friction. However, all of this friction produces heat, which can cause the brake pads to wear out very quickly. The materials need to be replaced more frequently because of their shorter lifespan. The demand for replacement products is rapidly increasing in comparison to original equipment.

Global Friction Material Market By Product

Pads are holding the highest market share in this product type segment and are predicted to grow at a higher CAGR over the forecasted period. Brake pads are a part of disc brakes, which are used in automotive and other applications. Due to the rapid development in the automotive industry, the demand for friction pads in braking systems has increased, which has driven the growth of this segment. They are more affordable and tend to produce less dust. In addition, when a pad is left on a rotor for too long, it begins to wear out more quickly, increasing the market's need for replacements.

Global Friction Material Market By Application

Braking systems currently lead the application segment and are predicted to expand quickly over the upcoming years. The rising demand for passenger cars and the stricter vehicle safety standards put forth by various governments have both contributed to the growth of the braking system. The market's expansion has also been aided by the high demand for friction brakes from end markets like the automotive and railways. A key element of safe driving is the capacity to brake safely. For the most at-risk road users, such as pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcycle riders, safe braking is especially crucial because these groups are all too frequently the victims of careless driving on the part of car, van, truck, and bus drivers. As a result, braking system demand has increased among automotive companies.

Global Friction Material Market By End-User

The automotive sub-segment in the End-use Industry is leading the market and is estimated to grow at a high growth rate during the forecast period. Vehicles with both light and heavy loads use friction materials more, such as brake pads, brake linings, and clutches. Both original equipment and aftersales use these materials. Furthermore, heat is produced as a result of increased friction, which damages braking systems and increases the need for replacement. Due to numerous safety concerns, the use of friction materials in the production of various automotive components has rapidly increased.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

The largest consumer of friction materials is the Asia-Pacific region, which is also expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The region's massive vehicle production presents a fantastic growth opportunity for friction materials. The most populous nations are China, India, and South Korea, and these nations also have a growing preference for passenger cars, which is boosting the growth of the friction material market.

North America is predicted to witness significant growth in the global friction materials market in the forecasted period after the Asia-Pacific region. The growth in the region is due to the presence of several well-established key players in countries such as the US and Canada, and also the increase of friction materials in the aerospace industry in these developed countries.

KEY PLAYERS IN THE GLOBAL FRICTION MATERIAL MARKET

Carlisle Brake & Friction, Federal-Mogul Holdings, Tenneco, Akebono Brake Industry, Aisin Seiki,  ABS Friction Corp., European Friction Industries Ltd, GMP Friction Products, Hindustan Composites Ltd., MIBA AG, Brembo, Wabtec Corporation,

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MARKET

• In November 2021, Brembo announced a collaboration with SBS Friction to reduce the environmental impact of two-wheel friction materials. They will also create and use more environmentally friendly processes and materials. Furthermore, by 2024, this collaboration will result in the progressive replacement of the aftermarket pad range.
• In November 2020, Brembo announced the acquisition of SBS Friction A/S, which will allow the company to add brake pads to its current product line, with a focus on the environment, and further strengthen Brembo's position in the motorcycle sector while also providing solutions for our customers.
• In April 2022, Tenneco announced the launch of advanced OE hybrid friction material composites that meet braking performance and comfort criteria in both the internal combustion engine and electric vehicles. The benefits of low steel and organic composites free of asbestos are combined in one brake pad design by the new hybrid friction material.

DETAILED SEGMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL FRICTION MATERIAL MARKET INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT 

This research report on the global friction material market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on business type, product, application, end-user, and region.

By Business Type

• Original Equipment
• Aftersales

By Product

• Pads
• Linings
• Discs
• Blocks
• Others

By Application

• Brakes
• Clutches
• Industrial Brake & Transmission Systems

By End-User

• Automotive
• Railway
• Construction
• Aerospace & Marine
• Others

By Region

• Asia Pacific
• North America
• Europe
• South America
• Middle East & Africa