Friction Materials Market Outlook:
Friction Materials Market size was valued at USD 24.2 billion and is expected to reach USD 44.9 billion by the end of 2038, registering a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-2038. In 2026, the industry size of friction materials is assessed at USD 26.4 billion.
The rapid expansion of the automotive industry and growing demand for electric vehicles are expected to drive the global market. The Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP) in September 2024 reported that BYD, the largest manufacturer of EVs in China, announced an investment of USD 1 billion in Turkey in establishing a manufacturing plant capable of manufacturing 150,000 hybrid and electric vehicles. The integration of appropriate friction materials is crucial for effective power transmission and the motion control capacity of cars. Thus, with increased automotive manufacturing, the demand for friction material is likely to increase.
Moreover, the integration of regenerative braking systems in electric vehicles is projected to fuel the market growth. Once such an example is the announcement by Tesla in April 2023 regarding its software update for the introduction of standard and low regen settings in the generative braking systems incorporated in Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y. The drivers of the mentioned models can adjust regenerative braking as per their needs due to the software update. The advancement in the braking system in EVs directly affects the market growth of friction materials by influencing the intensity and frequency of their use in vehicles.
Friction Materials Market - Growth Drivers and Challenges
Growth Drivers
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Advancements in automotive technology: Advancements in automotive technology, such as the emergence of ceramics, regenerative braking systems, and carbon composites, are expected to fuel the growth of the global market by driving innovation. Such an innovation leads to the development of products, such as ceramic friction materials, regenerative braking systems, and others. Since June 2023, Volvo Cars has been utilizing Swiss company Bcomp’s ampliTex flax fiber composites for building optional trim to integrate the same in the doors and dashboards of the new EX30, which is a compact electric SUV. It is the first manufactured vehicle of Volvo, where a new, lightweight material is used. Bcomp’s ampliTex flax fiber composites can be used as an alternative to carbon materials used in friction applications.
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Rising focus on sustainability and eco-friendly materials: The focus of regulatory bodies, such as the EU and the U.S government, on sustainability and the use of eco-friendly materials, through the initiation of REACH and EPA, fuels the growth of the market significantly. In June 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) added Decamethyltetrasiloxane, 1,1,1,3,5,5,5-heptamethyl-3-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy] trisiloxane, and others as substances of Very High Concern (SVHC), to list REACH’s hazardous chemicals. As a result, friction manufacturers have been obligated to strive for innovation to exclude the use of the mentioned chemicals in the manufacturing of friction materials.
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The rising need for effective braking systems: The need for advanced braking systems, such as the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Regenerative Braking System (RBS), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), and others, is rising rapidly, which is strengthening the market growth. The updated mandates of the government in automotive manufacturing are increasing the need for advanced braking systems. For example, in April 2024, a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard was finalized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the U.S, through which the integration of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) was made mandatory for automotive manufacturers. The obligation fuels the demand for friction materials remarkably due to their higher co-efficiency, thermal stability, wear resistance, and effective NVH, to be incorporated in vehicles.
Challenges
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Rising demand for sustainability: Preference for environmentally-friendly and high-performance materials is rising rapidly, which is emerging as a barrier to the friction materials market growth. To meet the sustainability demands, companies involved in the production of friction materials are also adopting copper-free, non-asbestos, and organic friction materials, which are eco-friendly. The adoption of such materials is increasing the cost of production of friction materials, and ensuring high performance of the materials by enhancing suitable complex formulation has also become challenging.
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Increasing costs of raw materials: The costs of raw materials, such as aramid fibers, rubber, metals, resins, and graphite, required for the production of friction materials, are increasing rapidly due to inflationary factors and hindering the market growth. Production costs of frictional materials also increase due to the rise in material costs. As a result, the affordability of end products manufactured using friction materials deteriorates.
Friction Materials Market Size and Forecast:
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
|
Base Year |
2025 |
|
Forecast Year |
2026-2038 |
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CAGR |
4.5% |
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Base Year Market Size (2025) |
USD 24.2 billion |
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Forecast Year Market Size (2038) |
USD 44.9 billion |
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Regional Scope |
|
Friction Materials Market Segmentation:
Type Segment Analysis
The pads type segment is expected to account for the largest share of 43.2% in the friction materials market globally by the end of 2038 due to the rising adoption of electric vehicles. The need for improved safety and performance standards of the vehicles also fuels the growth of pads pad-type segment. The unique braking requirements in EVs to ensure utmost safety and performance fuel the demand for the segment. Brakes are mechanical devices in vehicles that need periodic changes since pads are friction materials that are prone to wear and tear.
Material Segment Analysis
The semi-metallic segment is expected to acquire a market share of 40.3% by the end of 2038 due to its cost-effectiveness, effective performance in braking systems, and durability. Semi-metallic friction material is the best fit to incorporate in vehicles such as trucks and buses. The import and export of semi-metallic friction materials have grown significantly due to this. In July 2025, to adjust the imports of semi-metallic friction materials, the U.S Secretary of Commerce imposed a universal 30% import duty on intensive copper derivative products and semi-finished copper products.
Application Segment Analysis
The clutch and brake systems segment is expected to account for a market share of 72.5% during the forecast period. The development of clutch and brake systems using advanced friction materials boosts the segment growth. In November 2023, ZF unveiled a novel, completely electromechanical brake system, a key element of brake-by-wire technology. The integration of this advanced braking system in an electric vehicle allows the generation of braking force at each wheel. The performance and safety of advanced clutch and brake systems significantly rely on friction materials.
Our in-depth analysis of the friction materials market includes the following segments:
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Segment |
Subsegments |
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Type |
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Material |
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Application |
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End use |
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Vishnu Nair
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Friction Materials Market - Regional Analysis
Asia Pacific Excluding Japan Market Insights
The Asia Pacific Excluding Japan market is expected to account for a share of 56.1%, due to rising automotive production across India, China, and South Korea. As reported by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) in March 2024, in 2023, 25.3 million units of cars were produced in China. Governments in countries of the Asia Pacific are also implementing stringent regulations regarding the safety and fuel efficiency of vehicles. With the rising production of vehicles, the demand for friction materials automatically increases. The need for advanced friction materials to ensure of safety and performance of vehicles also fuels the friction market growth in the region.
The friction materials market in China is anticipated to account for a remarkable revenue share by 2038, expanding at a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period, owing to the promotion of materials that are friendly to the environment and useful in braking systems. Similarly, government initiatives, focused on the development of sectors such as manufacturing, robotics, and others, also fuel the growth of the friction materials market in China. One such example is the announcement of Made in China 2.0 by the government in June 2025 to transform the manufacturing sector into a self-dependent, sustainable, innovative, and energy-efficient sector. These factors encourage the use of green friction materials in China.
The friction materials market in India is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period, owing to favorable support from regulatory bodies regarding aging vehicles. In August 2025, the Supreme Court of India announced zero coercive action against owners whose petrol and diesel vehicles are aged over 15 and 10 years, respectively. Instead, the court encouraged the policy implementation of assessing the fitness of vehicles based on actual emissions levels using scientific methods. The aging vehicles have a crucial need for friction materials since components like brakes require more frequent replacement in such vehicles.
Europe Market Insights
Europe friction materials market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.3% between 2026 and 2038 due to stringent environmental regulations related to carbon emissions. The involvement of companies in adopting suitable measures to make the use of friction material sustainable also fuels the market growth. In July 2024, a leading producer of brake friction solutions revealed that it had been working with the European Economic Commission of the United Nations’ Particle Measurement Programme (PMP) working group in the implementation of brake dust emissions. The demand for these green or sustainable materials can increase rapidly over time, especially when rising preferences for sustainability are emerging as a key driver for market growth.
Germany is anticipated to be the fastest-growing market in Europe during the forecast period. Adequate support for the development of material research strengthens the friction market growth. For instance, in September 2023, the Federation of European Materials Societies (FEMS) invited for FEMS Euromat 2023, the premier international congress, where people are invited to pitch their cutting-edge research and network in front of the industry leaders. The event fostered the latest development in material science and technology.
The UK friction materials market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.2% significantly during the forecast period, owing to the emergence of smart friction systems. Companies are investing in the development of services that can increase the lifespan of the friction materials. For example, Alstom, a company operating in the UK, launched FlexCare Sustain solutions in October 2024. This is an advanced service for effective repairing and overhauling of braking systems. As a result, the demand for friction materials preferred in the aftermarket increases.
North America Market Insights
North America friction materials market is anticipated to acquire a significant revenue share by 2038, expanding at a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period, owing to rising expectations among consumers for safety and performance of the vehicles. Continuous industrial adoption of the automobile and transportation solutions also fuels the market growth. In January 2023, the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization disclosed a blueprint for, elimination of carbon emissions from the industry of transportation industry by the end of 2050.
By 2038, the U.S friction materials market is expected to witness an expansion at a CAGR of 4.5%, due to the strong automotive industry. The advancement of materials that are resistant to wear, contain thermal stability, and have the ability to generate less noise fuels the growth of the frictional market as well. As revealed by the U.S Department of Energy in January 2025, an organization named Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO) was established in 2022 for research and development of next-generation manufacturing for energy systems and technologies. These factors open up novel business avenues for the friction materials market.
The friction materials market in Canada is likely to expand rapidly by the end of 2038, at a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period, due to rising EV adoption across the nation. The government of Canada is also taking measures to push the adoption of EVs. For instance, in August 2025, Claude Guay, the Parliamentary Secretary, announced a financial grant of USD 25 million to support 33 projects that are focused on the improvement of charging availability in EVs, freight transportation decarbonization, and innovation for medium to heavy-duty trucks.
Key Friction Materials Market Players:
- Company Overview
- Business Strategy
- Key Product Offerings
- Financial Performance
- Key Performance Indicators
- Risk Analysis
- Recent Development
- Regional Presence
- SWOT Analysis
The global friction materials market is highly competitive due to the presence of a vast number of key players and their innovative activities in the development of friction materials. Most of the key players in the friction materials market have significant associations with the automotive industry. They are even involved in innovating friction materials and relevant end products through research and development. Key players in the friction materials market are also ever-expanding. For example, in December 2023, the TMD Friction completed the acquisition of AEQUITA.
Here is the list of key players associated with the global friction materials market:
|
Company |
Country of Origin |
Approx. Market Share % |
|
FederalMogul |
U.S. |
7.2 |
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Federal-Mogul Holdings |
U.S. |
5.6 |
|
Continental AG |
Germany |
4.8 |
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Miba AG |
Austria |
3.2 |
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ASIMCO Technologies |
China |
xx |
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EBC Brakes |
U.S. |
xx |
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Robert Bosch GmbH |
Germany |
xx |
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ACDelco |
U.S. |
xx |
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ZF Friedrichshafen AG |
Germany |
xx |
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EBC Brakes |
UK |
xx |
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TMD Friction |
Germany |
xx |
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Carlisle Brake |
U.S. |
xx |
Below are the areas covered for each company in the friction materials market:
Recent Developments
- In May 2025, Carboleg GmbH filed a patent application for an innovative method of manufacturing that will be incorporated with thermally treated components of minerals. It was a drastic step towards sustainable production in the friction material industry.
- In April 2025, Tenneco launched low-emission brake disc coatings. Friction materials in such brake disc coating play a crucial role by influencing wear rates and matter generation while braking. The solutions are helpful for the Tier One suppliers and OEMs to meet Euro 7 and China 7 standards related to emissions.
- In March 2025, TMD Friction revealed that it was about to sell the performance-driven OE Pagid brand to IAM distributors directly across every region. The company took this initiative to make the offerings increasingly accessible for consumers.
- In March 2025, SKF, recognized as a leader in offering solutions for the reduction of friction, launched an updated brand by encouraging all stakeholders to focus on innovation, industry leadership, and sustainability.
- Report ID: 8017
- Published Date: Aug 27, 2025
- Report Format: PDF, PPT
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