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Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has signed an agreement with the global steel company SSAB for the supply of fossil-free steel used in the production of damping shims for vehicle brake pads.
Shims, or anti-squeal plates, eliminate brake noise and vibration, an increasingly important attribute especially in the growing market for electric cars which are generally quieter. They are manufactured by combining different materials, mainly rubber, adhesives and metal, before they are attached to the brake pads.
The collaboration enables Trelleborg to manufacture brake shims from more sustainable steel, produced using methods that avoid the significant carbon emissions associated with traditional steel blast furnaces.
Automotive manufacturers are increasingly demanding more sustainable components, especially in the electric car sector where the materials account for a large part of its total CO2 emissions because of the elimination of exhaust gases.
“Our unique solutions to eliminate vibration and noise in cars are based on our extensive technical knowledge and experience. With fossil-free steel in our components, we will take a leap forward in reducing our carbon footprint, and that of the manufacturers which use our parts, and strengthen our market-leading position,” says Stefan Lundström, Business Unit President, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions based in Kalmar, Sweden.
Trelleborg has been a major supplier of damping and sealing solutions to the automotive market since 1988 and provides components to the vast majority of large global manufacturers.
Olavi Huhtala, Head of SSAB Europe, adds: “"We are happy to welcome Trelleborg Sealing Solutions as a fossil-free partner. Together, we will support the automotive industry in delivering the key parts that both producers and consumers are demanding. In the end, it will deliver more sustainable cars to the customers.”
SSAB has developed two unique types of steel that are produced with virtually no fossil carbon dioxide emissions: SSAB Zero® and SSAB Fossil-free™ steel. SSAB Zero® is based on recycled steel scrap and is produced with fossil-free electricity and biogas and is available for commercial deliveries since 2023. SSAB Fossil-free™ steel is produced from iron ore with HYBRIT® technology developed by SSAB together with iron ore producer LKAB and energy company Vattenfall. The technology, which has been tested on a pilot scale, uses hydrogen produced with fossil-free electricity to produce iron, the primary raw material in steelmaking. The residual product is water instead of carbon dioxide.
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has partnered with SSAB to manufacture damping shims for vehicle brake pads using fossil-free steel. This collaboration aims to reduce carbon emissions and meet the growing demand for more sustainable automotive components, especially in the electric car sector. Trelleborg's adoption of SSAB's innovative steel, produced with minimal fossil carbon dioxide emissions, reinforces its market-leading position and commitment to being more sustainable.
SSAB has developed SSAB Zero® and SSAB Fossil-free™ steel, both with nearly no fossil carbon dioxide emissions. SSAB Zero® is made from recycled scrap using fossil-free electricity and biogas, available since 2023. SSAB Fossil-free™ steel is created with HYBRIT® technology together with iron ore producer LKAB and energy company Vattenfall. The technology uses hydrogen produced with fossil-free electricity, resulting in water instead of carbon dioxide as a byproduct.
For more information about Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, contact: Arvid Norberg at arvid.norberg@trelleborg.com.
For more information about SSAB, contact: Anna Molin, press officer at SSAB, anna.molin@ssab.com
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions Kalmar AB is thrilled to share that it has received the certification of TISAX® (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange) assessment at Level 3. TISAX® is a standard information security assessment (ISA) catalog for the European automotive industry, focusing on crucial elements of information security such as data protection and third-party connections.
TISAX® was established by the Association of the German Automotive Industry (VDA) in collaboration with the European Network Exchange (ENX), an association of European automotive manufacturers and suppliers. It merges Information Security Assessment (ISA) and the German Verband der Automobilindistrie (VDA) with the Annexure-A (Technical Controls) of ISO/IEC/27001, along with privacy considerations. This standard applies to 1st and 2nd tier automotive suppliers/service providers and extends to the intricate supply chain, including services, to ensure comprehensive information security.
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions Kalmar AB attainment of the TISAX® Certification underscores our steadfast commitment to upholding the highest standards of Information security.
“This is more than just a requirement for us; it serves as a way to foster trust and maintain integrity within the automotive industry.” stated Stefan Lundström, BU DS President, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions Kalmar AB.
Let's continue to strive for excellence together!
Thank you goes to Johan Stjärndahl, Håkan Song Sandberg, Ann-Sofie Ahlman, Arvid Norberg (pictured), Rasmus Eriksen, Joel Nilsson and Vladimir Dvořák (not pictured) for their hard work and dedication!
New brochure - Next Generation Damping Materials
Read our new brochure about Trelleborg's next generation damping materials available here on the website.
These lightweight and high-performance materials are designed to effectively reduce noise and vibrations from vibrating structures.