What is Greentell? Technology with an environmental focus
The name Greentell is made up of “green” and “intelligent” – an indication that this is not just another marketing gimmick, but a genuine technology package with clearly defined environmental goals. According to Brembo, the new braking technology is designed to reduce the ecological footprint by up to 85%. At the same time, particulate emissions – the infamous brake dust – are reduced by up to 90 %. This not only ensures clean rims, but also cleaner air in cities.
At the heart of the system is an innovative, nickel- and heavy metal-free two-layer coating, which is applied to the brake discs using laser metal deposition (LMD). This additive manufacturing process is similar to metal 3D printing: metal powder is applied to the surface with pinpoint accuracy using a laser, resulting in an extremely precise and uniform protective layer. The application takes place after mechanical processing, but before the final finishing of the windshield.
Less wear, same performance
Brembo promises not only lower emissions thanks to this coating, but also drastically reduced wear: the discs are said to wear up to 80 % less than untreated cast iron discs. However, Brembo’s Head of Development Fabiano Carminati puts this figure into perspective – the Greentell discs are thinner than conventional variants, which means that their service life is extended by around 20 to 30 % in practice.
Another technical detail: as the friction pairing between the disc and pad differs fundamentally from the classic cast iron combination, a new brake pad was also developed. This is specially matched to the coated disc in order to achieve maximum efficiency with minimum abrasion.
Clever wear feature: visible replacement indicator
The Easy Check indicator is a practical innovation: the Brembo logo is lasered into the surface of the disc. As soon as this logo is no longer visible, a replacement is due. This idea comes directly from motorsport, where visible wear indicators have been used for some time.
No holes, no slots – and for good reason
At Greentell, Brembo deliberately avoids perforated or slotted discs. Although such designs offer advantages in terms of heat dissipation and so-called “gassing out” – i.e. the escape of gases that can occur between the pad and disc – they also increase particle emissions. As this is specifically minimized with Greentell, the surface remains smooth. According to Brembo, modern materials and coatings easily compensate for the thermal disadvantages.
Future-proof: Euro 7 standard in sight
An important driver behind the development is the new Euro 7 emissions standard, which will also regulate brake dust from 2026. Specifically, the limit value will initially be 7 mg/km, and then only 3 mg/km from 2035. The reduction of brake wear is particularly important for vehicles without pronounced recuperation – such as many conventional models. Slightly higher limits apply to electrified vehicles, as they generally generate less friction through regenerative braking.
According to Brembo, Greentell is designed so that it can be produced on a large scale and used in a wide range of vehicle classes – from premium electric cars to simple vans. According to Brembo, an adaptation for motorcycles is also conceivable.
Successor for performance models and aftermarket products
Initially, the Greentell system will primarily be used in Europe and in the premium vehicle sector – Brembo’s traditional core business. For the aftermarket, the company already offers a similar product line, Greenance, which also aims to reduce emissions.
Conclusion: A clean future for braking technology?
With Greentell, Brembo shows that brake manufacturers can – and must – focus not only on performance, but also on sustainability. The combination of modern production technology, low wear and significantly reduced emissions could significantly change the way we brake in the future. Even if the first applications are in the passenger car segment, similar solutions are likely to be used in the motorcycle sector sooner or later.
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