Textar Evolutionary epad Redefines Clean, Quiet Braking Performance

LUXEMBOURG, August 19, 2011 -

- World Premiere: TMD Friction Launches the Next Generation of Brake Friction Technology

TMD Friction launches globally the Textar epad concept, a genuine evolution in brake friction technology, delivering combined performance and comfort characteristics never before available effectively in one product. As well as the performance expected from a Textar brake pad, the epad also offers an extremely low level of brake dust and brake noise, delivering cleaner wheels and more comfortable braking. This new range of pads has been application engineered and has already been approved as OE fit by Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and VW, with more than a million pieces already supplied to new vehicles.

Clean wheels and no noise has long been the main driver of brake performance in the North American and Asian markets, delivering this comfort requirement has traditionally led to a product with lower friction performance and longer stopping distances. Conversely in European markets where every brake pad has to achieve high brake performance, to German Autobahn speeds, noise and dust are often symptoms of achieving performance and temperature resistance. Now for the first time, in the epad, TMD Friction has achieved the holy grail of friction development, delivering European performance with clean wheels and low noise.

Using unique new technology the epad generates performance from a friction material transfer between the brake pad and the brake disc, this transfer layer delivers cleaner braking performance by reducing wear of both the pad and the disc, not just almost completely eliminating brake dust from the wheels but also increasing the life of both components.

With the epad, brake dust on alloy wheels is very significantly reduced, and any dust residue is easily removed during normal washing, contrary to standard brake pads where even after intensive washing or special cycles brake dust is still evident.

When considered together, this low dust behaviour with ultra low levels of brake noise, in a pad that delivers longer component life whilst being more environmental friendly, combined with the performance level you would expect from Textar, is a unique package.

“The epad does not only provide the car driver with a superb new braking experience and consistently clean wheels, but also represents a real value added sales opportunity to both wholesale and retail suppliers.” comments TMD Friction Marketing Director, David Baines. “epad also has a USP that will give workshops something truly new and unique to offer to their customers, delivering safe, sure performance and wheels that will be immediately and obviously cleaner.”

About TMD Friction

TMD Friction is among the world’s leading manufacturers of brake friction materials for the automotive and brake industries. Its product portfolio comprises disc brake pads and drum brake linings for passenger cars and commercial vehicles together with brake pads for racing cars and friction materials for rail and industrial applications. TMD Friction is one of the largest suppliers to the global replacement parts aftermarket with its Textar, Pagid, Mintex, Don and Cobreq brands. Brake pads for rail and industrial applications are developed and produced under the brand names Cosid and Dynotherm. TMD Friction has operations in Germany, the United Kingdom, and three other European countries, as well as in the US, Brazil, Mexico, China, Japan and South Africa. The TMD Friction Group employs approximately 4,800 people worldwide. For further information please visit www.tmdfriction.com.

TMD Friction Group S.A.
68-70 Boulevard de la Pétrusse
L-2320 Luxemburg

Media Contacts

TMD Friction Holdings GmbH
Schlebuscher Str. 99
51381 Leverkusen
Germany

Janet Dunkel
Corporate Communications

Phone    +49-2171-501-904
Fax    +49-2171-501-89-904
E-mail    janet.dunkel@tmdfriction.com
Web    www.tmdfriction.com

Agency Contact
Tobias Wolff,
pr people, Köln

Phone     +49-221-534-1088-37
Fax     +49-221-534-1088-44
E-mail     t.wolff@pr-people.de

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