ZF Aftermarket’s new TRW DTEC brake pad and disc portfolio demonstrated up to 80% lower PM10 emissions than conventional pad-and-disc combinations in brake dynamometer testing, according to the company. ZF is presenting the products at Automechanika Frankfurt as part of a push to give independent workshops, distributors and fleets repair solutions aligned with Euro 7’s brake particle limits. The TRW DTEC lineup is joined on the stand by TRW DOT 4 Brake Fluid ESP Recycled, a service fluid containing 60% post-consumer recycled material.
Highlights
- TRW DTEC pads and discs showed up to 80% lower PM10 emissions versus conventional combinations in dynamometer tests run over a WLTP driving cycle, ZF says.
- Validation took place on ZF dustIN, the company’s in-house brake particle dynamometer built for Euro 7-relevant conditions.
- TRW DOT 4 Brake Fluid ESP Recycled contains 60% post-consumer recycled material, calculated under ISO 14021.
- ZF holds an EcoVadis Gold rating with a score of 86/100, placing it in the top 3% of more than 175,000 companies assessed.
What Does Euro 7 Mean for Aftermarket Brakes?
Euro 7 introduces limits for brake particle emissions, shifting regulatory attention toward non-exhaust sources as a measure of vehicle performance. For ZF, the company says, that makes practical workshop solutions a priority as requirements change. Under Euro 7, brake PM10 emissions for passenger cars are capped at 7 mg/km, with the standard taking effect for new vehicles in November 2026, as covered in The BRAKE Report’s report on Otto Zimmermann’s WLTP Brake Cycle testing.
“Meaningful environmental progress requires solutions that can be implemented in everyday repair. Our objective is to make innovative braking technologies accessible to our customers at scale, without compromising safety, performance or serviceability,” said Philippe Colpron, Head of ZF Aftermarket.
Inside the TRW DTEC Pad and Disc Portfolio
DTEC, short for “Dust Technology,” covers pads and discs developed specifically to reduce particle output. In brake dynamometer testing, the combinations produced up to 80% lower PM10 particle emissions than conventional pad-and-disc pairings, according to ZF. The tests measured PM10 during a WLTP driving cycle, with wear performance evaluated to SAE J2522; ZF notes results may vary by vehicle, driving conditions and operating environment.
Validation ran on ZF dustIN, the company’s in-house brake particle testing dynamometer, developed to evaluate braking products under Euro 7-relevant conditions. Beyond lower PM10 output, ZF says the products are engineered for:
- Reduced wear
- Improved corrosion behavior
- Reliable braking performance
TRW DTEC came out of collaboration between ZF’s original equipment and aftermarket organizations, pairing OEM engineering with aftermarket requirements. The company says the technology can be retrofitted to existing vehicles to help reduce brake particle emissions in line with Euro 7 requirements for new vehicles. The products expand the TRW braking range ZF Aftermarket supplies to the independent channel.
For identification in the workshop, TRW DTEC products carry a blue brake-pad shim, a dark matte brake-disc finish and new blue TRW packaging.
“With TRW DTEC, we are strengthening the link between original equipment development and the independent aftermarket. The technology reflects ZF’s ability to transfer regulatory-relevant braking innovation into everyday repair solutions,” said Markus Wittig, Head of Business Line Passenger Cars at ZF Aftermarket.
TRW DOT 4 Brake Fluid ESP Recycled
ZF is also showing TRW DOT 4 Brake Fluid ESP Recycled, extending its sustainability focus to service fluids for professional brake maintenance. The fluid contains 60% post-consumer recycled material, calculated in accordance with ISO 14021, and is processed to meet the performance requirements of a finished brake fluid, according to the company.
EcoVadis Gold Rating
ZF’s sustainability progress has also been assessed externally. The company reports a Gold rating from EcoVadis with a score of 86/100, ranking among the top 3% of more than 175,000 companies evaluated globally and in the top 1% of its industry segment.
ZF is showing its Mobility Uptime solutions at Automechanika Frankfurt, Forum Level 01.
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