igus SE & Co. KG

Improving what moves. With this goalin mind, igus GmbH has been developing and manufacturing motion plastics since 1964: lubrication-free, high-performance plastics optimized for motion in terms of tribology—that is, friction and wear. These include products in the areas of energy chains, cables, plain, ball, and spherical bearings, linear and drive technology, semi-finished products, 3D printing, low-cost robotics, and intelligent sensor technology—all of which help customers improve their technology and reduce costs. Research conducted in the company’s own 5,500-square-meter test laboratory continuously produces innovations and enhances safety for users. 245,000 items in over 1,000,000 variations are available from stock, and their service life can be calculated online.

Components that meet the highest hygiene standards are in high demand, particularly in medical settings. igus plain bearings and energy chains made of high-performance plastic are the perfect solution here. With solid lubricants integrated into the plastic material, the bearings operate cleanly and quietly, are corrosion-resistant , and are completely maintenance-free. They are successfully used in X-ray robots, laboratory equipment, treatment chairs, hospital beds, and prosthetics. The low-noise and low-vibration energy chains ensure a reliable power supply even in confined spaces, such as in operating rooms, rehabilitation systems, and diagnostic imaging. The product line also includes models suitable for cleanrooms up to ISO Class 1.

In light of the EU’s planned PFAS restrictions, igus also invested early on in the development of alternative materials that do not contain PTFE. Customers now have access to a wide range of PTFE-free products that provide them with planning certainty. iglidur JPF —the PTFE-free version of iglidur J, a low-friction material widely used in medical technology—was named “Product of the Year 2025 ” in the Materials category by *Plastik Magazin*.