TMD Friction has completed solar panel installations at its production facilities in Hartlepool, UK, and Caransebes, Romania. The projects will eliminate a combined 620 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. Both installations support the brake friction manufacturer’s Sustainability Roadmap 2040, which targets 100% renewable energy across all facilities by 2030.
Highlights
- Hartlepool, UK: 1,468 solar panels generating 590,000 kWh annually, covering 6% of site energy demand
- Caransebes, Romania: 3,236 panels producing 2,580,000 kWh per year, meeting 14% of site demand
- Combined CO₂ reduction: 620 tonnes per year across both facilities
- Renewable energy progress: 48% of TMD Friction’s global energy came from green sources in 2025
Hartlepool Installation Details
At its UK facility, TMD Friction installed 1,468 solar panels across 2,933 square meters of roof space. The self-funded project was delivered by supplier Geo-Green Power. It is expected to generate roughly 590,000 kWh of electricity per year. That output covers about 6% of the site’s total energy demand.
The installation will cut carbon emissions by approximately 150 tonnes annually. Additionally, the project integrates SolarEdge monitoring software. This system allows real-time tracking of each panel’s performance. It enables proactive management and optimization of energy output.
Andrew Turner, Vice President of PC Europe at TMD Friction, said: “These solar installations represent a meaningful and tangible commitment to our Sustainability Roadmap 2040. At Hartlepool, we’re not just generating cleaner energy, we’re embedding sustainability into the very fabric of our manufacturing operations. The ability to monitor each panel in real time means we can ensure we are getting the maximum benefit from the investment, and that is the kind of precision and accountability we bring to everything we do.”
Romania’s Large-Scale Solar Investment
At its 23,000-square-meter Caransebes facility in Romania, TMD Friction completed one of its largest single-site solar investments. A total of 3,236 panels were installed across two hectares. The supplier, Servelect, delivered the self-funded project. The system is designed to produce 2,580,000 kWh of green electricity per year. That meets roughly 14% of the site’s energy demand. It also delivers annual carbon savings of 470 tonnes of CO₂.
Andrew Turner added: “The scale of this installation reflects our dedication to sustainability and investment in our company’s future. With 470 tonnes of CO₂ saved every year, the impact is real and measurable, moving us closer to our 2030 renewable energy target.”
Global Sustainability Progress
These projects join a growing list of renewable energy milestones under TMD Friction’s Sustainability Roadmap 2040. In 2025, 48% of the company’s global energy came from green sources.
In Spain, 1,101 solar panels at the Valencia plant supplied 11.7% of the region’s annual energy consumption in 2025. That installation saves 219 tonnes of CO₂ per year. Meanwhile, in Germany, a long-term agreement with Iberdrola will supply more than 50% of TMD Friction’s total German energy demand. The renewable electricity will come from the Windanker offshore wind farm starting in 2027.
Across its global operations, TMD Friction continues investing in energy management software. These tools analyze consumption data in real time, identify efficiencies, and maintain transparency in energy cost reporting.
Subscribe Today!
Sign up for our weekly eNewsletter and get a free copy of our quarterly digital magazine.
