Fras-le copper-free brake pad

One of Fras-le's most striking features, which can be identified in the products exhibited at Fenatran 2019, is its vocation to anticipate trends - both technological and normative. Recently, the Company has shown in the United States an example of this capability, making both advances simultaneously. Fras-le introduced the copper-free GRN Tech air brake pad to that market, which offers longer useful life and is environmentally friendly.

With the release of the new material, Fras-le anticipates US legislation restricting the use of copper and other heavy materials gradually until 2025. The company's GRN Tech formulations are already in compliance with the Level N of regulation, which limits the coefficients of heavy metals and, in the case of copper, requires ratios of less than 0.5% by weight. It is the maximum degree of requirement.

GRN Tech is manufactured from a highly durable formulation base, providing increased braking efficiency and rotor and insert durability. The product is currently being tested in fleets in the United States, Europe and Brazil with extremely positive results, meeting the highest requirements and performance standards of OEM customers.
   
“It is a unique product as it offers the OEM market a copper-free solution, anticipating a requirement of US law with state-of-the-art technology to exceed the highest performance expectations”, says the president of Fras-le and COO of the Randon Companies' Auto Parts Division, Sérgio L. de Carvalho.

The development is the result of years of Fras-le engineering studies and intensive testing in our own labs and the Randon Technology Center (CTR) world-class innovation hub.

Global Expansion Moment

In recent years, Fras-le has experienced its largest expansion in the international market, strengthening its North American business - the Alabama-based facility was recently recognized as Industry of the Year by the Prattville Chamber of Commerce.

“The last two years have been defined by Fras-le as a period of global alliances, development and expansion because the company believes in the power of collaboration for growth and is ready for new challenges with modern systems and a strong commitment from our team”, says the president of Fras-le and COO of the Randon Companies' Auto Parts Division, Sérgio L. de Carvalho.

As a global leader in brake technology and innovation, Fras-le is amongst the top five manufacturers of friction materials in the world. Certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, IATF 16949 and OHSAS18001 standards, it also has its own state-of-the-art R&D center, as well as access to CTR's structure of excellence. With operations in Brazil, China, the United States, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, India, South Africa and Germany, the company has a structured team to support its customers in more than 120 countries on five continents.