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GGB

Automotive HVAC Compressors

Engineered Solutions for BEV Compressors

As the EV market grows, compressor manufacturers face increasing pressure to enhance efficiency, reduce noise, and meet rising thermal management demands. Integrated system designs combining motors, controls, and scroll compressors into compact units are becoming the standard, minimizing weight while optimizing performance. Noise reduction is critical, as EV cabins lack engine sounds, making compressor noise more noticeable.

Advanced plain bearings offer a key solution, reducing noise by 5–10 dB compared to traditional ball bearings. Additionally, compressors must handle thermal regulation for both cabin climate control and battery cooling, requiring high-temperature-resistant materials for continuous operation.
The shift to larger scroll and rotary compressors adds complexity, particularly with the need for battery pre-heating and pre-cooling. Engineers must navigate space constraints while improving efficiency to meet global emissions targets. Effective heat management is crucial to prevent shaft seizure in high-performance compressors. GGB partners with manufacturers early in the design phase, offering expertise in tribology and friction management to ensure reliable, cost-effective solutions.

The GGB Advantage

Friction Management Expertise

GGB’s maintenance-free materials offer excellent low friction properties that absorb the impacts of high loads and increase durability. 
 

Noise Reduction

Plain bearings and polymer coatings solutions offer thanks to their structure, low NVH components compared to roller bearings and can significantly reduce size, weight, and absorb noise and vibration.
 

Improved Efficiency

Power loss for increased output and volumetric efficiency can be reduced even at low speed/high pressure conditions. The bearing materials and/or coatings offer high temperature resistance to accommodate the continuous operation needed for heating and/or cooling batteries. 
 

Eco-Friendly Solutions

GGB offers a wide range of lead-free and grease-free surface materials that comply with RoHS directives as well as with the EU End of Life Vehicle (ELV) and the restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directives. Our solutions offer sustainability that can help reduce your carbon footprint, removing heavy bulky or greased materials, but can also replace hard chrome and NMP in new compressor designs. 
 

Global Support with Local Expertise

From global R&D collaboration to optimized local manufacturing, GGB ensures cost-effective solutions tailored to your design needs.
 

A Partnership for the Future

By choosing GGB as your partner, you gain access to world-class tribological expertise, innovative materials, and cutting-edge solutions designed to tackle today’s challenges in HVAC compressor design. Whether it is reducing noise, improving efficiency, or meeting strict environmental standards, GGB’s plain bearings and polymer coatings are the reliable, forward-thinking solutions to power the next generation of electric vehicles.