Manufacturing 100% Eco Clean Friction Material Compositions For Braking Applications

PRESS RELEASE
FasterCapital Partners with Sportmotors Racing LLC to Accelerate Market Entry of 100% Eco Clean Friction Materials
YEREVAN, Armenia & Dubai, UAE - 22 June 2024 - Sportmotors Racing LLC, an innovator in 100% eco clean ready mix friction material compositions for braking applications, today announced a strategic partnership with FasterCapital through its LaunchUp program. This collaboration aims to accelerate Sportmotors Racing's expansion into Eastern European and regional markets, leveraging FasterCapital's global reach and expertise to capitalize on the growing demand for sustainable automotive components.
Addressing a Critical Market Need for Eco-Friendly Brake Materials
The braking industry faces mounting pressure to reduce toxic emissions caused by traditional brake pad wear, which contributes nearly 5% of air and water pollution in major cities. Despite advances such as third-generation ceramic brake pads, many products still contain harmful substances affecting human health and the environment. Sportmotors Racing LLC targets this gap by offering a patented, 100% eco clean friction material composition free from asbestos, copper fibers, metal alloys, and other toxins. This innovation addresses a significant market inefficiency, providing brake pad manufacturers in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia with a safer, high-quality alternative amid a competitive landscape increasingly focused on sustainability.
Innovative Solution with Proven Performance and Market Potential
Sportmotors Racing LLC's ready mix friction material composition is uniquely formulated to meet stringent environmental standards without compromising braking performance. Tested extensively at national laboratories in Armenia, the product offers a competitive edge by eliminating hazardous components common in current market offerings. With an initial target of over 30 regional brake pad manufacturers and projected sales exceeding $5 million within five years, the company is poised for rapid growth. Its strategic geographic location between East and West further enhances its ability to serve diverse markets with quality, price-competitive products.
FasterCapital Partnership: Accelerating Growth and Market Leadership
Through the LaunchUp program, FasterCapital provides Sportmotors Racing LLC with critical resources including strategic mentorship, capital-raising support, and access to a global network of investors and industry experts. FasterCapital's rigorous selection process underscores the startup's high potential and innovative approach in the automotive materials sector. This partnership is designed to fast-track product commercialization, optimize operational execution, and scale market penetration across key regional hubs within the next 12 to 18 months.
Executive Perspectives
Hesham Zreik, Founder and CEO of FasterCapital, commented:
"Sportmotors Racing LLC exemplifies the kind of groundbreaking innovation we seek to support-solutions that not only address pressing environmental challenges but also offer strong commercial viability. Their patented eco clean friction material composition aligns perfectly with global trends toward sustainability in automotive manufacturing. We are excited to provide the strategic and financial backing to help them realize their full market potential."
Sarkis Derkaloussian, Owner and Founder of Sportmotors Racing LLC, stated:
"Partnering with FasterCapital is a pivotal milestone in our journey to transform the brake materials industry. Their expertise and resources will enable us to accelerate production, enhance market outreach, and meet the increasing demand for eco-friendly braking solutions across Eastern Europe and neighboring regions. Together, we are committed to 'taking from nature and giving back to nature' in its purest form."
Growth Trajectory and Future Outlook
Sportmotors Racing LLC plans to complete its production line setup within 12 months and commence full-scale manufacturing shortly thereafter. The company aims to expand its client base across Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian markets, targeting a 10% annual revenue growth over the next five years. Additional funding rounds are anticipated to support capacity expansion and R&D initiatives focused on next-generation friction materials. Ultimately, Sportmotors Racing envisions becoming a global leader in sustainable brake pad compositions, driving industry-wide adoption of eco-conscious technologies.
About Sportmotors Racing LLC
Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Yerevan, Armenia, Sportmotors Racing LLC specializes in manufacturing 100% eco clean ready mix friction material compositions for braking applications. The company's patented formula eliminates harmful substances such as asbestos, copper, and metal fibers, as well as industrially manufactured metal and non-metal based chemical compounds, offering a safer alternative to conventional brake pad materials. Committed to environmental stewardship and innovation, Sportmotors Racing serves automotive manufacturers across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
About FasterCapital
FasterCapital is a global venture builder and online incubator dedicated to co-funding and co-founding innovative startups. Established in 2014, we are now #1 venture builder in terms of number of startups that we have helped, money invested and money raised. It supports startups worldwide through various programs, including funding assistance, business development, and technical support. The LaunchUp program is designed to help early-stage startups build scalable solutions with mentorship, strategic guidance, and network support.
Media Contact:
Rasha Almasri
rasha.almasri@fastercapital.com
+1 (512) 400-0256‬

Svetlana Grigoryan str. 2/1, Yerevan, Armenia

Sportmotors LLC was established the year 1999 in Yerevan-Armenia. The company was involved in automotive spare parts aftermarket retail business of BMW and Mercedes Benz passenger cars. The source markets were the Dubai and Beirut wholesale distribution centers. Popular aftermarket brands were Lemforder, Sachs, Boge, Goetze, Elring etc.

In 2006 the company was appointed as an official dealer of Lemforder and Boge products of ZF Trading company for Armenia. As the competition of cheap aftermarket products were becoming dominant we introduced an alternative of chinese production series of shock absorbers and disc brake pads for german passenger cars. Recently the aftermarket prices have shown the tendency to rise and the need to have a local cost effective production line has become a must.

In 2009 the company was renamed as Sportmotors Racing LLC.

The history of brake pad manufacturing in Armenia goes back to the former USSR era. The production met the 1970's standards and the main market was the Russian Federation. The brake pad models produced were for soviet Lada and GAZ vehicles. Nowdays, repair of brake pads is a low cost alternative against the imported german and japanese aftermarket products. Repair workshops still use the technologies and formulas of the past era. Asbestos is the base friction material, which has been defined in many countries as an hazardous carcinogen material.

In the past three years the company has made many laboratory tests to get a friction material that will meet the modern standards and has achieved some interesting results, that is 0% Asbestos, 0% copper powder, 0% metal powder and metal scraps, 100% eco clean friction material. All samples have been tested at the laboratories of the National Academy of Yerevan, and at the Vanadzor Politechnical Institute where dynamometer test is available.

The successful results have opened the perspective of introducing a friction material for brake pad manufacturing companies that are interested in innovative ideas for their future products. We are ready to send samples of the friction material moulded on backing plates as to their request.

The target of our company is to introduce quality approved and price competent friction material.

Main characteristics of the friction material are:

1. The use of eco clean materials
2. Cheap and domestically found popular friction materials
3. Low percentage of phenolic resin in the mixture
4. Homogenus mixture
5. Good bonding characteristic to the backing plate
6. Low conductor of heat
7. Low percentage of abrasives
8. Low wear coefficient of rotor
9. Low dust
10. Low noise
11. Long life

This release was published on openPR.