Automotive Brake Friction Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Automotive Brake Friction Market is projected to expand from USD 12.71 Billion in 2025 to USD 16.22 Billion by 2031, reflecting a CAGR of 4.15%. These products, which consist of pads, linings, and shoes, function as critical safety mechanisms that decelerate vehicles by transforming kinetic energy into thermal energy through contact with drums or rotors. Market growth is primarily supported by the continuous rise in global vehicle manufacturing and the sustained need for aftermarket replacements within a growing operational fleet. Data from the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) indicates that global motor vehicle production hit 92.5 million units in 2024, establishing a strong baseline for original equipment demand, while strict government safety mandates regarding stability and stopping distances are enforcing the universal adoption of compliant, high-performance friction materials.

Conversely, the market encounters significant headwinds due to the electrification of the global automotive landscape. The widespread adoption of regenerative braking systems in electric vehicles allows the electric motor to handle vehicle deceleration, thereby drastically lowering the dependency on traditional mechanical friction brakes. This technological evolution considerably prolongs the durability of brake linings and pads, resulting in a lower frequency of replacement. Consequently, this decrease in aftermarket turnover rates poses a tangible barrier to volume expansion as the market share of electric vehicles continues to rise.

Market Drivers

The rising aftermarket demand stemming from an aging vehicle parc currently acts as a central engine of growth for the brake friction industry. As the global fleet matures, the unavoidable wear on brake linings and pads mandates regular replacement to maintain operational safety, establishing a resilient revenue stream that remains distinct from new vehicle production cycles. This expanding installed base guarantees consistent material consumption, with older vehicles acting as the primary consumers of aftermarket maintenance. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) report 'Vehicles on European roads 2025' from January 2025, the European Union's passenger car fleet grew by 1.4% year-over-year to 249 million vehicles, while Continental AG's 'Preliminary Results FY 2024' from March 2025 reported consolidated sales of €39.7 billion, underscoring the substantial component volume needed to service this market.

Simultaneously, the surge in demand for premium and noise-mitigating brake solutions is enhancing the market's value proposition. Modern consumers and OEMs are increasingly prioritizing braking systems with superior noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) characteristics, specifically for luxury and high-performance platforms. This trend drives manufacturers to develop and market higher-margin, specialized friction composites that minimize acoustic disruption while ensuring stopping power. The financial impact of this shift toward high-value components is illustrated by Brembo N.V.'s 'Third Quarter Report 2025' from November 2025, which noted a net profit of €65 million - a 59% increase over the previous year - highlighting the profitability associated with meeting advanced performance standards in the premium segment.

Market Challenges

The transition toward vehicle electrification imposes a distinct structural constraint on the expansion of the brake friction market. In electric vehicles, regenerative braking systems manage the majority of deceleration by converting kinetic energy into electrical power, effectively bypassing the mechanical friction process. This operational shift substantially lowers the physical abrasion and thermal stress applied to brake pads and linings. Consequently, these components retain their structural integrity for much longer periods, leading to extended replacement intervals and a noticeable reduction in aftermarket demand volume.

This lower turnover rate creates a direct impediment to revenue growth for manufacturers that rely on the high-frequency replacement cycles typical of internal combustion engine vehicles. According to the International Energy Agency, global sales of electric cars were projected to reach approximately 17 million units in 2024. As the proportion of electric vehicles within the global fleet expands, the aggregate consumption of friction materials is likely to lag behind total vehicle population growth, thereby countering some of the gains derived from new vehicle manufacturing.

Market Trends

The advancement of low-emission technologies aimed at reducing brake particulate matter is reshaping the industry as regulators focus on non-exhaust emissions. With the implementation of stringent standards such as Euro 7, manufacturers are compelled to innovate beyond traditional friction formulations, developing advanced hard-coated rotors and dust-reducing filtration systems to mitigate airborne particulate release. This regulatory push is fundamentally altering product development strategies, forcing a transition from purely performance-based engineering to compliance-driven designs that minimize environmental impact. According to Icer Brakes' November 2024 article 'Euro 7 Regulations', the European Union has established a binding limit for brake particle emissions, capping them at 7 mg/km for new internal combustion and hybrid vehicles to address urban air quality concerns.

Simultaneously, the integration of smart sensors for real-time wear monitoring and predictive maintenance is digitizing the braking function, moving it towards a software-defined ecosystem. This trend involves embedding sophisticated electronics within friction assemblies to provide continuous data on pad thickness, temperature, and clamping force, thereby enabling fleet operators to optimize service intervals and prevent unexpected failures. The shift from passive mechanical components to active, data-generating systems is gaining substantial commercial traction; according to ZF Friedrichshafen AG's January 2025 press release 'ZF secures substantial brake-by-wire technology business for light vehicles', the company secured a contract to equip nearly 5 million vehicles with its Electro-Mechanical Brake technology, which utilizes advanced sensing to eliminate hydraulic connections and enhance diagnostic capabilities.

Key Players Profiled in the Automotive Brake Friction Market

• Robert Bosch GmbH
• Aisin Corporation
• Tenneco Automotive India Private Limited
• Brembo S.p.A.
• Tenneco Inc.
• Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd.
• Miba AG
• SGL Carbon SE
• BorgWarner
• Nisshinbo Holdings Inc.

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Automotive Brake Friction Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Automotive Brake Friction Market, by Product Type:

• Brake Disc
• Pad
• Drum
• Shoe
• Liner

Automotive Brake Friction Market, by Disc Material:

• Metallic Disc
• Ceramic Disc

Automotive Brake Friction Market, by Vehicle Type:

• Passenger Car
• Lightweight Commercial Vehicle
• Truck
• Bus

Automotive Brake Friction Market, by Type:

• Woven
• Molded

Automotive Brake Friction Market, by Region:

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

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Automotive Brake Friction Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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