Dongying – November 10, 2026 -- Chinese brake supplier FRONTECH says its brake pad capacity can reach 10 million sets a year and that its disc plant runs 176 fully automated finishing lines. The company presented both figures to European aftermarket buyers at Automechanika Frankfurt 2026, held September 8 to 12.
Automechanika drew about 4,400 exhibitors from more than 80 countries
The fair covered the full automotive aftermarket, and exhibitors discussed how AI, electromobility, digitalization and autonomous driving are changing the industry. FRONTECH used the event to promote its automated brake disc and pad lines and to pitch customized supply to international distributors, wholesalers and aftermarket brands.
FRONTECH automates brake disc production from core making to warehousing
The disc process covers robotic core making, casting, finishing, surface treatment, dynamic balancing testing and automated warehousing. The core-making system tracks core density, dimensions and curing time. The casting facility uses a digital display to monitor molten iron composition against material specifications such as G3000 and GG20.
The 176 finishing lines measure thickness, face runout and diameter online. Automated balancing tests flag parts outside tolerance, which FRONTECH says gives wholesale buyers a traceable quality-control record for batch consistency.
Brake pad lines cover trucks, buses and trailers
Pad production uses intelligent batching, hot pressing, heat treatment, curing and raw material traceability. Products cover passenger car and commercial vehicle pads. FRONTECH also supplies brake shoes, drums and calipers, and offers OEM, ODM and private label programs with custom specifications, vehicle model adaptation and brand packaging.
Euro 7 and ECE R90 shape European buyer talks
In face-to-face meetings, European customers raised product specifications, vehicle compatibility, the Euro 7 regulation's new requirements on brake particulate emissions, and certifications such as ECE R90.
On September 13, FRONTECH hosted a German partner focused on Mazda applications. The client expressed satisfaction with product quality, delivery and service. It also raised drilled and slotted discs and calipers, and said it was interested in deeper cooperation.
BCG projects European aftermarket growth to €116 billion by 2035
A Boston Consulting Group article published September 3 projects that the European automotive aftermarket will grow from €99 billion in 2025 to €116 billion in 2035 at wholesale level. The figures exclude labor and include the independent aftermarket and original equipment suppliers. BCG also estimates that more than one-third of vehicles on European roads will be over 16 years old by 2035.
"As vehicles age, the demand for reliable replacement parts will continue," said Summer Wang, general manager of FRONTECH's business department. She said the company will keep raising manufacturing capability and automation levels and deepen cooperation with European customers.