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TMD Friction Holdings GmbH / Key word(s): Enterprise/ TMD Friction receives grant for rail traffic noise reduction research project from the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology DGAP-Media / 27.07.2011 / 10:00 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Luxembourg, 27 July 2011 - TMD Friction Group SA ('TMD Friction'), the world's leading manufacturer of friction materials for automotive and industrial applications, once again underlines its technological leadership in the development of new friction material formulations for rail applications. TMD Friction received a grant from the German Federal Ministry for Economics and Technology (BMWi) as of 10 December 2010 for a research project entitled 'noise-reduced rail freight transport due to innovative composite brake blocks'. Together with four other companies, TMD Friction is conducting intensive research on behalf of the BMWi into developing composite brake blocks that can be easily retrofitted onto for rail freight wagons. Composite brake blocks reduce the noise level by up to 10 decibels in comparison to grey cast iron blocks, which equates to half of the noise pollution produced by cast iron blocks. While composite brake blocks are already being installed in new rail freight cars, the retrofitting of existing vehicles has been time-consuming and expensive so far. With research grants of up to 1.74 million Euros over the next four years, TMD Friction aims at enhancing the economic efficiency of composite brake blocks without forfeiting their noise-reducing effect. Retrofitting of rail freight cars with new composite brake blocks is expected to begin in 2013. 'As a global technological and market leader in the development of next generation friction materials, we are continuously investing in research and are constantly focused on innovations. The BMWi grant confirms our expertise and position us for continued leadership in the global rail friction market. We will contribute our experience in developing friction materials and our wide-ranging manufacturing expertise as one of the few global producers of multi-purpose friction materials in order to achieve the important goals of the rail traffic noise abatement project,' said Dr. Roman Milczarek, Vice President Strategic Business Development at TMD Friction. The company's railway product range includes disc brake pads and brake blocks for local, regional and intercity trains as well as for freight transport. Media Contact Janet Dunkel Corporate Communications Phone +49 2171 501 904 Fax +49 2171 501 89 904 Email janet.dunkel@tmdfriction.com Web www.tmdfriction.com Agency Contact Byung-Hun Park Hering Schuppener Consulting Phone +49 69 92 18 74 85 Fax +49 69 92 18 74 82 Email bpark@heringschuppener.com About TMD Friction TMD Friction is among the world's leading manufacturers of brake friction materials for automotive and industrial applications. Its product portfolio comprises disc brake pads and drum brake linings for passenger cars and commercial vehicles together with brake pads for racing cars and friction materials for rail and industrial applications. TMD Friction is one of the largest suppliers to the global replacement parts aftermarket with its Textar, Pagid, Mintex, Don and Cobreq brands. Brake pads for rail and industrial applications are developed and produced under the brand names Cosid and Dynotherm. TMD Friction has operations in Germany, the United Kingdom, and three other European countries, as well as in the US, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, China and Japan. The TMD Friction Group employs approximately 4,800 people worldwide. For further information please visit www.tmdfriction.com. End of Media Release --------------------------------------------------------------------- 27.07.2011 Dissemination of a Press Release, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------- 133252 27.07.2011