Policy And Technology Dual Drive: Brake Pad Industry Steps Into A New Era Of Green And High Performance, Shandong Huaruifeng Leads Industrial Upgrading
At the start of 2026, China's brake pad industry is embracing dual transformations driven by regulatory standardization and technological innovation. With the official implementation of GB/T 17469-2024 Test Method for Friction Performance Evaluation of Automobile Brake Linings - Small Sample Bench Test, coupled with the rapid penetration of the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry, the sector's shift from "qualified adaptation" to "high-performance, environmental-friendly, and intelligent" development is becoming increasingly evident. As a backbone enterprise deeply rooted in the braking system sector, Shandong Huaruifeng Machinery Co., Ltd. is responding to the industry's new changes with technological innovation.
On the policy front, the new national standard has established a more stringent performance evaluation system. It narrows the stable friction coefficient range to 0.30-0.50, limits the thermal fade rate to ≤20%, and adds requirements for noise control (≤70dB) and hazardous substance restrictions. This directly forces the accelerated phase-out of low-end production capacity. Aligned with the EU's requirement of 50% reduction in brake dust emissions, the new standard propels the entire industry toward green transformation featuring low dust, copper-free formulations, and recyclable materials. Data shows that from 2021 to 2025, the market size of China's brake pad industry grew from 18 billion yuan to 24 billion yuan, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. Among this, the penetration rate of high-performance products such as ceramic-based and low-metallic brake pads has surged from 45.1% to 62.3%, emerging as the core driver of market growth.
In terms of technological iteration, the rise of NEVs is reshaping the industry's demand logic. As regenerative braking replaces traditional friction braking, brake pads are used less frequently but bear significantly higher loads per application, imposing stricter requirements for material heat resistance, stability, and lightweight design. Keeping pace with this trend, Shandong Huaruifeng has focused on R&D of ceramic matrix composite brake pads, adopting an aramid fiber and nano-modified resin composite system. Bench tests demonstrate that the friction coefficient fluctuation of these pads is controlled within ±10%, and the thermal fade rate under continuous downhill conditions is only one-third that of traditional semi-metallic products, with service life extended by nearly twice. These products perfectly meet the high-torque, low-frequency braking demands of NEV heavy-duty trucks. Meanwhile, the company is advancing low-dust technology R&D; through optimized material formulations, brake dust emissions have been reduced by over 60%, complying with both domestic new standards and EU REACH regulations, and laying a solid foundation for expanding export markets.
In terms of market structure, industry concentration is accelerating. It is projected that the CR5 (market share of the top 5 enterprises) will rise from 38% to 52% in the next five years. In the commercial vehicle segment, the market size of truck brake pads expanded from 4.8 billion yuan to 6.7 billion yuan from 2021 to 2025, with a CAGR of 8.7%. As the ownership of commercial vehicles is expected to exceed 12 million units and the penetration rate of NEV heavy-duty trucks surges toward 25%, demand for high-performance brake pads will be continuously released. Leveraging its technical expertise in commercial vehicle braking systems, Shandong Huaruifeng has built a comprehensive product portfolio covering heavy-duty trucks, light-duty trucks, and special-purpose vehicles. Its automated production lines ensure precise control of friction material formulations, maintaining a product qualification rate of over 98%. This not only meets original equipment manufacturer (OEM) matching needs but also provides cost-effective replacement solutions for the aftermarket.
Looking ahead to 2026-2030, China's brake pad market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.8% to reach 33 billion yuan, with green manufacturing and intelligent upgrading emerging as core competitive focuses. A relevant person in charge of Shandong Huaruifeng stated that the company will continue to increase R&D investment, focusing on cutting-edge technologies such as carbon-ceramic composites and embedded wear sensors, and drive product upgrading toward "low-emission, long-service-life, and monitorable" features. Meanwhile, relying on the advantages of Shandong's manufacturing cluster, the company will optimize supply chain resilience, seize opportunities in domestic substitution and global layout, and provide core support for the safe and sustainable development of the transportation industry.
