ITT Invests in WECODUR® Breakthrough Technology to Minimize Fine-dust Emissions in Braking Systems

Monday, 11 Apr 2022

• WECODUR® rotor coating technology will accelerate the development of new green solutions for the braking industry
• Investment and collaboration in the new technology facilitates innovation in high performing and lighter brake systems
• ITT's investment is the second made by ITT Ventures, launched in 2021

White Plains, N.Y., April 11, 2022 – ITT Inc. (NYSE: ITT) today announced its investment in HPL Technologies (HPL), a German-based technology start-up leading the rotor coating market with its groundbreaking WECODUR® technology. HPL developed WECODUR®, an innovative hard coating technology and related production machines that allows rotors to last longer, better resist corrosion, and reduce fine-dust emissions from brake systems. The investment was made jointly by ITT Ventures Fund and S-UBG, a German-based venture fund. ITT and S-UBG now each own 10 percent of HPL.

HPL's WECODUR® technology, combined with ITT Motion Technologies brake pads designed specifically for hard-coated brake disks, will offer industry-leading and environmentally friendly performance and durability. The investment will help HPL Technologies accelerate further the high-scale industrialization of laser cladding and grinding machines for brake rotors. The technology will play a key role in helping to achieve future emissions requirements for high-performance brakes. For Motion Technologies, a leading supplier of brake pads, the investment enables it to continue to address its customers' future market needs by providing the most efficient and sustainable technology.

"At Motion Technologies, developing highest-performance and environmentally friendly solutions for our customers is one of our core competencies. The combination of WECODUR® technology on brake rotors and our brake pads will offer the best performance and durability while reducing fine-dust emissions from brake systems. It also paves the way for further innovations such as lighter weight braking systems, a critical functionality for electric vehicles. This new technology has the potential to be a game-changer," said Carlo Ghirardo, President of Motion Technologies. 

The WECODUR® coating system and its related production process provide several competitive advantages:

• Longer resistance and service life: The unique technology makes brake rotors resistant to corrosion, reduces wear and tear, and increases their service life. At the same time, it maintains the high-performance characteristics of the rotor-pad combination. 
• Environmentally friendly: Lab tests on WECODUR® coated rotors in combination with ITT specifically developed pads show a significant reduction in fine-dust emissions in vehicle brake systems. 
• Cost-effectiveness: WECODUR® technology and machining capabilities combine hard coating and grinding operations on the brake rotors, which drives a cost advantage. 

ITT Ventures is ITT's innovation investment fund, which launched in 2021. ITT Ventures partners with early-stage technology companies it believes will accelerate growth opportunities across ITT's key end markets. The fund primarily looks for strong management teams, innovative products and technologies, and scalable businesses for investments. 
 

About ITT 

ITT is a diversified leading manufacturer of highly engineered critical components and customized technology solutions for the transportation, industrial, and energy markets. Building on its heritage of innovation, ITT partners with its customers to deliver enduring solutions to the key industries that underpin our modern way of life. ITT is headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., with employees in more than 35 countries and sales in approximately 125 countries. 

About ITT's Motion Technologies

ITT's Motion Technologies business designs and manufactures next-generation friction material, suspensions, shock absorbers, springs, and critical safety solutions for automotive, railway, defense, and industrial markets. 
 

Investor Contact	Media Contact
Mark Macaluso +1 914-641-2064 mark.macaluso@itt.com	Luciana Filizzola +39 327 6113095 luciana.filizzola@itt.com

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