Germany-based igus GmbH hosted an online press conference yesterday, the igus Innovation Show, to update global journalists on the company’s new products in plastics, automation, and digitalization. The event also highlighted sustainability initiatives and cost-saving efforts at its Cologne headquarters. Machinery Market’s online editor, John Hunter, attended the event.
Founded in 1964 in a garage in Cologne-Mülheim, igus has spent 60 years advancing lubrication-free high-performance plastics that keep machinery moving smoothly. As it approaches 2025, the company, represented in the UK by igus UK in Northampton, is set to unveil a record 277 motion plastics innovations. These will include PTFE-free materials, energy chain systems made from recycled materials, and even a humanoid robot, all under the banner “GO ZERO Lubrication.” The continuous investment in research and development (R&D) has been a key driver in providing cutting-edge solutions to customers. Despite a challenging political and economic climate, igus increased its active customer base by 5% and met its billion-euro turnover target.
In celebration of its 60th anniversary in October 2024, igus launched the igus:bike (now called RCYL), an urban bike made from recycled plastic. The bike is currently on a 12-month world tour that will finish in the UK in October 2025. During the tour, it will cover 6,000 km, visiting major cities, beaches, rivers, and customer applications. Thanks to its rust-free design and lubrication-free system, the bike requires minimal maintenance.
Matthew Aldridge, managing director of igus UK, spoke about the company’s efforts to adapt to changing political and economic conditions. “Like many of our customers, we are focusing on efficiency, including increased automation in our factories. But we always ask, ‘What’s in it for the customer?’ These challenges push us to innovate and enhance both our competitiveness and that of our customers,” said Aldridge. He added that igus continues to invest heavily in R&D and manufacturing new technical solutions. The company’s Cologne facility now covers 218,000 m², with a new 20,000 m² test laboratory — the largest in the industry.
Sustainability Efforts and Green Technologies
igus is on track to achieve 92% of its goal to be CO2-neutral by the end of 2025 at its headquarters and production facilities, targeting Scopes 1 and 2 emissions. Aldridge noted, “We are implementing many sustainability measures in Germany, such as adding photovoltaic systems to buildings, creating green facades for new car parks, and expanding our machine heat recovery system to efficiently heat our buildings.”
The company is also launching new environmentally friendly products, such as PTFE-free versions of its standard plain bearing materials. In its energy chain series, igus is converting the entire E2.1 range to recycled materials, including post-consumer recyclate like old fishing nets and discarded energy chains. This initiative, part of the company’s ‘Chainge’ program, reduces the CO2 footprint by 80%.
Another notable development is igus’s Mobile Shore Power Outlet (iMSPO), a mobile socket for providing shore power to container and cruise ships. This system is already operational in major ports such as Hamburg, Rotterdam, and Singapore, and has been nominated for the prestigious Hermes Award at Hannover Messe next week.
Cost-Efficiency and Innovation in Manufacturing
While many companies are focused on cost savings, igus is investing in new products designed to be both cost-effective and sustainable. One such product is the glide-chain G4.42, optimized for simple gliding applications like indoor cranes. With a 30m travel distance, the glide-chain is 25% lighter and 40% more affordable than standard chains of the same size from the E2 and E4 ranges.
Furthermore, igus is developing its first humanoid robot made from high-performance plastic, based on the ReBeL Move mobile robot. This robot can be deployed at different workstations, offering a return on investment in less than a year.
As igus continues to push the boundaries of innovation, it remains committed to providing cutting-edge solutions, reducing its environmental footprint, and delivering value to its customers worldwide.
