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

The Global Brake Friction Market is projected to expand from USD 18.03 Billion in 2025 to USD 22.54 Billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 3.79%. This market encompasses deceleration components such as brake linings, shoes, and pads, which function by creating resistance against mating surfaces to control vehicle speed. The sector is driven by sustained demand for original equipment manufacturing and the requirements of a growing global automotive fleet that needs regular aftermarket replacements. According to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), global motor vehicle production reached 92.5 million units in 2024. This significant manufacturing output directly supports the demand for friction materials across various vehicle segments for both initial installation and ongoing maintenance.

However, the market faces a substantial obstacle due to the increasing adoption of regenerative braking technology in electric vehicles. This system uses electric motors to slow the vehicle, thereby significantly reducing physical wear on traditional friction brakes and extending the intervals between pad and lining replacements. This technological transition poses a threat to long-term aftermarket volumes, compelling manufacturers to adjust to lower turnover rates while simultaneously managing volatile raw material costs that impact profitability.

Market Drivers

The primary catalyst for the Global Brake Friction Market is the surge in global vehicle production and sales, which necessitates massive volumes of pads, linings, and shoes for initial OEM installation. This growth is especially pronounced in the commercial sector, where heavy-duty logistics and industrialization fuel the manufacturing of new fleets requiring durable friction components. For example, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) noted in its 'Production and Sales of Commercial Vehicles' update from December 2025 that commercial vehicle sales in China reached 3.87 million units in the first eleven months of the year. Such consistent output in key manufacturing hubs directly leads to increased procurement orders for braking systems, ensuring a baseline of revenue for suppliers before vehicles even enter circulation.

In addition to new production, strong demand from the automotive aftermarket acts as a crucial revenue stabilizer, supported by an aging global fleet that needs regular maintenance. As vehicles stay in operation longer, the frequency of wear-dependent replacements for brake components increases, insulating the market from cyclical downturns in new car sales. According to the '2026 Auto Care Factbook' released by the Auto Care Association in June 2025, U.S. light-duty aftermarket sales grew by 5.7% in 2024 to reach $413.7 billion. This expanding maintenance ecosystem highlights the sector's resilience and profitability, a trend further evidenced by key players like Brembo, which reported a third-quarter net profit of €65 million in 2025.

Market Challenges

The integration of regenerative braking systems in electric vehicles poses a structural constraint on the brake friction market. Unlike internal combustion engine vehicles that rely solely on friction to stop, electric vehicles utilize the motor to capture energy during deceleration. This process absorbs a large portion of the braking load, substantially decreasing the frequency and intensity of contact between brake pads and rotors. Consequently, the lifespan of these friction components increases significantly, leading to a noticeable reduction in the replacement cycles required by vehicle owners.

This extended durability has a direct impact on the aftermarket segment, which traditionally drives volume for friction manufacturers. As the global fleet shifts toward electrification, the total addressable market for replacement parts faces downward pressure. According to the International Energy Agency, global sales of electric cars reached approximately 17 million units in 2024. This rising volume of vehicles equipped with regenerative technology suggests a long-term decline in the turnover rate of consumable brake components, forcing suppliers to contend with lower recurring revenue streams per vehicle compared to traditional automotive platforms.

Market Trends

The Global Brake Friction Market is undergoing a fundamental structural change driven by the transition to copper-free and eco-friendly formulations. As environmental mandates regarding chemical safety tighten globally, manufacturers are aggressively reformulating friction compounds to eliminate hazardous materials like copper, antimony, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This shift is not merely regulatory but also a core component of the industry's sustainability goals, aiming to reduce the ecological footprint of brake dust and manufacturing emissions. A prime example of this industrial pivot is evident in recent supplier achievements; according to TMD Friction's '2024 ESG Report' from August 2025, the company successfully achieved a 31% reduction in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) across its friction product lines, surpassing its long-term reduction targets significantly ahead of schedule.

Simultaneously, the sector is experiencing a rapid integration of smart sensors for real-time wear monitoring and control, moving the industry toward fully digital chassis solutions. This trend transcends simple mechanical wear indicators, evolving into sophisticated electro-mechanical braking (EMB) architectures that utilize advanced sensor arrays to manage braking force dynamically and predict maintenance needs with high precision. This digitization eliminates the reliance on traditional hydraulic fluids and mechanical linkages, aligning perfectly with the software-defined vehicle architectures of modern electric fleets. The commercial viability of this technology was underscored when, according to a January 2025 press release from ZF Friedrichshafen, the company secured a major contract to equip nearly 5 million vehicles with its smart Electro-Mechanical Braking system, signaling a massive adoption of sensor-driven braking platforms.

Key Players Profiled in the Brake Friction Market

• Brembo N.V.
• Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd.
• Robert Bosch GmbH
• ZF Friedrichshafen AG
• Nisshinbo Holdings Inc.
• Tenneco Inc.
• ADVICS Co., Ltd.
• MAT Holdings, Inc.
• Sangsin Brake Co., Ltd.
• ITAPROCHIM S.p.A.

Report Scope

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

Brake Friction Market, by Vehicle Type:

• Passenger Car
• Commercial Vehicle

Brake Friction Market, by Liner Type:

• Moulded Brake Liner
• Woven Brake Liner

Brake Friction Market, by Material Type:

• Metallic Brake Disc
• Ceramic Brake Disc
• Composite Brake Disc

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 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).

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.