Knorr-Bremse Rail Vehicle Systems has acquired Federal-Mogul’s the entire know-how and intellectual property rights for the development and production of friction materials for rail vehicle and industrial applications.

In turn, Federal-Mogul will receive a ‘back licence’ from Knorr-Bremse, allowing it to continue to supply its own customers with rail friction materials. An agreement to this effect was signed by the two parties.

Klaus Deller, chairman of Knorr-Bremse AG (and responsible for the Rail Vehicle Systems division), said: “By acquiring this rail friction product know-how and integrating it into our production operations, we are rounding out our expertise in friction materials and further strengthening our overall market position.

As a result, we can offer our customers the right product for almost any type of train and using every type of technology.”

Knorr-Bremse says the integrated development of rail braking systems and brake pads will lead to greater deceleration, lower noise emissions and reduced life-cycle costs. In the future, the company will manufacture these products at its own production site.

The acquisition of this rail product know-how forms part of Knorr-Bremse’s on-going development in the friction material sector In 2008, Knorr-Bremse acquired Anchor Brake Shoe Co, a leading North American manufacturer of brake shoes for locomotives and freight cars.

In 2016, it acquired the rail vehicle operations of brake pad specialist TMD Friction, as well as all the outstanding shares in the Icer Rail joint venture.