Global Friction Materials Market - 2024-2031

Global Friction Materials Market Overview

The global friction materials market size was worth US$ 5.58 billion in 2023 and is estimated to reach US$ 7.39 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 3.57 % during the forecast period (2024-2031).

Friction materials provide friction in various circumstances requiring slow and reduced movement. Friction is a resistance that seeks to stop items from moving. It happens when a tangible item collides with a diverging surface. Friction is used in operating systems, brake & clutch systems, industrial machinery & gear tooth systems, requiring slowing and stopping activities.

Friction is needed in the brake system, clutch and grinding processes. The brake pads/shoes are pressed against the revolving brake disc or drum during the braking action. Brakes are used to slow and stop moving vehicles and hold them still while stopped.

Global Friction Materials Market Dynamics

The market is positively impacted by the growing demand for passenger and commercial cars, which leads to increased use of friction materials in automotive components. During the forecast period, aerospace, machinery and construction industries are likely to boost the need for friction products and materials.

Rising demand for friction products and materials in the automotive sector

The rise in demand for friction goods and materials from the automotive end-user industry propels the market forward. It, in turn, drives the global market for friction materials. Furthermore, manufacturers focus on producing innovative friction products as part of the business plan to obtain a better presence in the friction goods & materials industry.

As a result of the increased demand for innovative friction products in the automotive industry, the global market for friction products & materials is expected to grow during the projected period.

Increasing development of aerospace and construction sectors

The aerospace, machinery, and construction industries will likely boost the need for friction products and materials during the forecast period. Additionally, manufacturers focus on adopting numerous standards governing the compounds used in brake friction materials.

In California, for example, the use of friction compounds containing more than 0.5 percent copper is expected to be prohibited in new autos beginning in 2025. Akebono focuses on inventing, producing, and distributing friction materials to comply with the new law.

High maintenance costs

Friction materials' high cost and maintenance are predicted to stifle market expansion. When a vehicle is running, for example, brake usage becomes necessary. As a result of the frequent brake usage necessitating more brake pad adjustments and replacements, it makes the friction system expensive due to the increased maintenance costs.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

During the pandemic, automotive manufacturing was temporarily halted due to the lockdown, reducing the consumption of friction materials used in clutches, gears, braking systems and other vehicle components. Furthermore, during the pandemic, passenger train and air transport services were suspended for an extended period, reducing the consumption of friction materials used in train braking systems and aircraft clutches, brakes and gears.

Freight trains, on the other hand, were moving at full speed. For example, overall freight loading through Indian railways amounted to around US$ 57.47 million tonnes until August 19, 2020, representing a 6.6% increase over the same time in 2019, boosting demand for braking systems of freight trains.

Post-COIVD 19, the market demand has improved significantly with end-use market coming back to normalcy and focusing on business growth, which is driving the demand for friction materials.

Global Friction Materials Market Segment Analysis

By end-user, the friction materials market is segmented into railway, automotive, construction and others.

The automotive industry holds the lion's share.

Friction materials are increasingly being used in both light-duty and heavy-duty automobiles. Friction materials are utilized in clutches, brakes and gears, among other places in automobiles. A friction brake slows down a vehicle by turning its kinetic energy into heat and dispersing it into the environment. Out of all the materials used, sintered metal materials are well-suited for heavy-duty applications like mining truck carriers.

Due to continuous engagement and disengagement of the clutch, ceramic material clutches can tolerate a lot of heat and work without fading at temperatures up to 550°C. Due to their heat resistance is useful for racing applications and braking technology in various high-end automotives.

Global Friction Materials Market Geographical Analysis

Rising investments in industrial & automotive sectors in Asia-Pacific

Due to China and India's enormous industrial and automotive sectors and ongoing investments in the region to develop the construction sector, Asia-Pacific will likely dominate the global market. China and India's expanding demand for trucks, buses, railways, industrial machinery and robotics drive the demand for friction materials in various applications.

Friction materials are also used in the railway industry. The Indian Railways, according to IBEF, has one of the world's largest rail networks, with a route length of 1,23,236 kilometers, 13,523 passenger trains and 9,146 freight trains and a passenger capacity of 23 million.

India and China are rapidly expanding their aerospace manufacturing industries, likely to boost market demand. According to the Boeing Commercial Market Outlook 2020-2039, Asia-Pacific region will get roughly 17,485 new airplane deliveries between 2020 and 2039. By 2039, the overall airplane fleet volume in the region will have increased to almost 18,770 units, which is predicted to increase the demand for friction materials.

Russia-Ukraine War Impact

The Russia-Ukraine war has significantly impacted the friction materials market, particularly due to disruptions in the supply chain. Both Russia and Ukraine are key suppliers of raw materials, including metals and minerals, essential for manufacturing friction materials used in automotive, aerospace, and industrial applications. The conflict has led to shortages and increased prices of these raw materials, forcing manufacturers to seek alternative suppliers and adjust production strategies. This has caused delays and increased costs in production, affecting the overall market dynamics and creating uncertainty among industry stakeholders.

Moreover, the geopolitical tensions have resulted in sanctions and trade restrictions, further complicating the market scenario. European and North American companies, which are major consumers of friction materials, have faced significant challenges in maintaining steady supplies. The war has also accelerated the shift towards regionalization, with companies looking to reduce dependency on conflict-affected regions. This shift is prompting investments in local production facilities and the development of new supply chains, which may lead to long-term changes in the global friction materials market.

By Product

• Pads
• Lining
• Discs
• Others

By Business

• Original
• Aftersales

By Application

• Brakes
• Clutches
• Industrial Brake & Transmission Systems

By End-user

• Railways
• Automotive
• Construction
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Middle East and Africa

Key Developments

• In October 2022, Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd. successfully completed its business revitalization plan ahead of schedule. The plan involved streamlining production and enhancing efficiency by reducing operations within Japan.
• In 2023, Nisshinbo Holdings divested its subsidiary, TMD Friction Group. This subsidiary had been a cornerstone of Nisshinbo's automotive brake business, enabling the company to become the world's largest automotive brake friction manufacturer following its acquisition in 2011.

Competitive Landscape

The major global players in the market include Akebono Brake Industry, Federal-Mogul Holdings, Fras-Le, Nisshinbo Holdings, Aisin Seiki, Itt Inc., MIBA AG, Valeo Friction Materials India Private Limited, Carlisle Brake & Friction (CBF), Yantai Hi-Pad Brake Technology.

Why Purchase the Report?

• Visualize the composition of the friction materials market segmentation by product, business, application, end-user and region, highlighting the critical commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities in the friction materials market by analyzing trends and co-development deals.
• Excel data sheet with thousands of friction materials market-level 4/5 segmentation points.
• Pdf report with the most relevant analysis cogently put together after exhaustive qualitative interviews and in-depth market study.
• Product mapping in excel for the key product of all major market players

The global friction materials market report would provide access to an approx. 69 market data table, 63 figures and 180 pages.

Target Audience 2024

• Friction Materials Service Providers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Education & Research Institutes
• Emerging Companies
• Friction Materials Manufacturers