ZF targets Euro 7 brake dust with new MAXX Uniper heavy-duty brake
ZF unveiled its new MAXX Uniper air disc brake at IAA Transportation 2026, combining up to 30,000 Nm of braking torque with technology designed to cut PM10 brake-particle emissions by up to 65%. In Hannover, ZF also received the Truck Innovation Award 2027 for its TraXon Hybrid transmission.
ZF used IAA Transportation 2026 to introduce MAXX Uniper, its next-generation air disc brake for heavy-duty commercial vehicles, designed to address the upcoming Euro 7 requirements on brake-particle emissions.
Combined with a specially coated rotor, the new brake can reduce PM10 particle emissions by up to 65%, according to ZF, while delivering braking torque of up to 30,000 Nm. Series production is expected to start in 2027.
The development is particularly relevant because Euro 7 extends the regulatory focus beyond exhaust emissions to include non-exhaust sources such as particles generated by braking.
MAXX Uniper combines lower emissions with 30,000 Nm braking torque
MAXX Uniper builds on ZF’s single-piston air disc brake technology, which the company has been developing for more than 30 years and has already produced in over 12 million units.
Its bi-directional adjuster controls the running clearance between brake pad and rotor, helping maintain even pad wear and reducing the risk of overadjustment. The compact single-piston architecture also uses fewer components, with ZF targeting improved reliability and easier servicing.
A new carrier and brake pad system has been designed to simplify pad replacement, while an optional plug-and-play continuous wear sensor can monitor brake condition without requiring calibration. The sensor itself is replaceable, with the aim of reducing maintenance requirements and increasing vehicle uptime.
The brake has also been developed around a modular architecture, allowing manufacturers to use the same basic concept across different heavy-duty vehicle platforms and applications.
“MAXX Uniper brings together what the commercial vehicle industry needs for the Euro 7 era: reduced brake-dust emissions, powerful braking performance and proven reliability,” said Pawel Porczynski, Head of Business Unit Chassis Solutions at ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions division.
ZF sees MAXX Uniper as part of a wider portfolio of technologies aimed at meeting Euro 7 requirements and says the brake can be integrated into axle systems for conventional, hybrid and fully electric commercial vehicles.
ZF’s TraXon Hybrid wins Truck Innovation Award 2027
Hannover also brought ZF an important industry recognition. Its TraXon Hybrid heavy-duty transmission was named winner of the Truck Innovation Award 2027, presented by the International Truck of the Year jury.
The system integrates hybrid technology directly into ZF’s established heavy-duty transmission architecture, providing manufacturers with an electrified powertrain option designed to reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions while retaining the operational flexibility required for long-haul and other demanding applications.
The jury highlighted the system’s combination of technical innovation, practical applicability and technological maturity. ZF says VECTO simulations indicate potential CO₂ reductions of up to 47% in long-haul applications under defined conditions and with consistent battery recharging.
