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Glyco® Brand Leading the Way In Lead-Free Bearings and Bushings
Thousands of automotive businesses are impacted by the European Union's end-of-life directive covering the use of lead. The law, which came into effect in 2003, provided an exemption for bearings used in engine, transmission and drivetrain systems, which was going to expire in July 2008 but will most probably be extended to the end of 2011.
Through its expertise in product design, metallurgy and manufacturing, Federal-Mogul Corporation has aggressively pursued lead-free bearing and bushing solutions to help ensure that its OEM customers could achieve the July 2008 compliance. These efforts have resulted in the achievement of many new contracts with several OEMs in Europe. Thanks to an extensive commitment of resources, the company is already providing premium-quality lead-free bearings and bushings and is ready now - well ahead of 2011 - for the implementation of the directive.
Although the directive does not cover replacement parts for vehicles produced before the application date, Federal-Mogul is committed to exceed government requirements - which permit the sale of lead-type replacement bearings for older applications - by eliminating the hazardous material from bearings and bushings, whenever technically possible.
"We approached the EU directive as an opportunity to accelerate our development of environmentally friendly manufacturing processes and products," said Carlo Arzeni, Federal-Mogul Product Manager, Bearings, Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Federal-Mogul Corporation has developed and patented lead-free technologies (manufacturing processes, designs and materials) that have resulted in new innovative products for today's automotive industry. Many of these new lead-free materials are already in our aftermarket offering.
"Federal-Mogul has been the world's premier manufacturer of engine bearings and bushings for more than 100 years," Arzeni said. "Thanks to these recent advances, our leadership continues into the era of lead-free components."
