RE-BREATH – Reduction of Brake Wear Emissions in the Transport Sector The Future of Sustainable Urban Mobility

RE-BREATH is a European project funded by the LIFE Programme of the European Commission, created to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in sustainable urban mobility: non-exhaust emissions from brake wear in public transport buses. These particles, which account for a significant share of urban PM10 pollution, have a direct impact on environmental quality.
At the core of the project is an innovative braking system developed by Brembo N.V., which brings the company’s experience from the private sector into the heavy-duty transport arena, aligning with the Euro 7 standards. The solution features low-wear cast iron brake discs and newly designed pads engineered to work in synergy with the discs. The pads are entirely copper-free (100% copper-free) and specifically tailored for heavy-duty public transport vehicles.
n parallel with the technological development, RE-BREATH has also promoted awareness campaigns and green mitigation strategies, establishing an integrated model for sustainable public transport. The project demonstrates how innovation and sustainability can coexist within a unified approach.
Over its three-year span, RE-BREATH has brought together research institutions, industry leaders, and public authorities—highlighting the crucial role of advanced braking systems in improving urban air quality and supporting the achievement of EU policy targets such as those outlined in Directive (EU) 2016/2284 on the reduction of national emissions.