+++ PRESS RELEASE +++  LIQFRIC® and Green Friction® together recycle brake pads sustainably +++ November 2022 +++ 

 

TWO LEVERKUSEN-BASED COMPANIES REALIZE THE SUSTAINABLE FRICTION MATERIAL CYCLE OF THE FUTURE.

LIQFRIC® and Green Friction® recycle brake pads together in a sustainable way 

Leverkusen, November 2022. A joint project by two Leverkusen-based companies enables a recycling process for friction materials with drastic CO2 savings compared to conventional production and disposal.


Dr. Roman Milczarek – LF GmbH & Co. KG:  “With our LIQFRIC® materials, we can offer brake pad manufacturers a new material concept with up to 85 % less CO2 emissions.”


Fabian Fuhr – RMS Raw Material Service GmbH & Co. KG:  “With our Green Friction® know-how, we can further reduce the CO2 footprint of the innovative LIQFRIC® products drastically through sustainable recycling.”


Sustainable friction material recycling allows the reuse of valuable raw materials

 

So far, brake pads and linings have been produced with raw materials sourced all over the world, with phenolic resin as a binder, under pressure and heat in multiple heating- and cooling cycles with high energy consumptions. After only about 50 % wear, these pads are usually replaced with original pads (OES) or pads from the aftermarket.

Today, most used pads are landfilled and therefore not recycled.


This is where the two companies with their LIQFRIC® and Green Friction® processes come in:

 

LF GmbH & Co. KG produces the castable raw material LIQFRIC® with selected - uncritical - raw materials with the addition of an inorganic binder on a liquid basis. This material is then further processed into OE- or aftermarket pads without pressure and very little heat exposure. This process saves up to 85 % CO2 compared to conventional manufacturing. Another advantage is the drastically reduced PM10 fine particle emission. The low-temperature process also allows sensors to be integrated directly into the pads.



For over 25 years, RMS has been sustainably recycling friction materials and grinding dusts from production scrap and used pads from car, truck, motorcycle, rail and industrial applications. After separating all metallic parts, the friction material is processed according to the Green Friction® recycling process, optimized to customer specifications and re-used as a valuable component in new friction material mixes. An independent life cycle assessment study, performed according to ISO 14040 / 14044, shows that this recycling material has an up to 92 % reduced product carbon footprint compared to conventional friction materials made from 100 % virgin raw materials.

 

The joint cooperation guarantees the homogeneous recycling of the LIQFRIC® production rejects. Thanks to the Green Friction® recycling process, the innovative LIQFRIC® ecological balance can be made even more sustainable.


Conclusion


Reduced energy consumption – 85 % CO2 reduction during production – significantly less particle emissions PM10 – IoT-capable – high-performance – approaching serial production – controlled return through a closed, sustainable recycling concept – applied sustainability


The Companies


RMS Raw Material Service GmbH & Co. KG has been offering sustainable solutions for various products in the OEM, OES and independent aftermarket segments for over 25 years as a full-service provider for friction material recycling.

The Green Friction® recycling process makes it possible to utilize used pads as well as production scrap and recycle them instead of throwing them away.

The recycled material, either homogeneous or a mix from different sources, can be reused and actively contributes to a circular economy.


CONTACT

RMS Raw Material Service GmbH & Co. KG

Fabian Fuhr

Industriegebiet Fixheide

Borsigstrasse 19 | 51381 Leverkusen

+49 214 3400 984


www.greenfriction.com

or info@greenfriction.com

LF GmbH & Co. KG develops the LIQFRIC® technology with a competent core team of specialists from all relevant areas:

Research and development, technology, design and plant manufacturing, finance, marketing and communication.

Tailor-made, high-temperature-stable friction materials for automotive-, rail-, clutch- and industrial applications have been created since 2016. 

The company is involved in development projects and cooperations with important players in the brake- and clutch industry in Europe and especially in Germany.


CONTACT

 

LF GmbH & Co. KG

Dr. Roman Milczarek

Innovationspark Leverkusen

Marie-Curie-Straße 8 | 51377 Leverkusen

+49 214 313 830 30 


www.liqfric.com

or info@liqfric.com