Cost-saving sustainability: PTFE-free solutions for the industries of tomorrow

Goodbye PTFE

One sustainability challenge that will affect many companies is the future use of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), currently under regulatory review for restricted use or a formal ban. Regardless of whether there will be a ban, igus has been researching PTFE alternatives for several years. “We are working hard here, developing new formulations, carrying out extensive tests, we also test our materials for PFAS compounds (a PTFE derivative), and we adapt our production processes to offer our customers a suitable solution in the future,” says Dumayne.

igus is now offering options for all iglidur standard materials as PTFE-free variants. igus also offers PTFE-free and PFAS-tested alternatives in other product areas such as linear guides, slewing ring bearings and bearing liners. Tests in the company’s in-house laboratory for friction and wear behaviour also show that materials with substituted PTFE, compared to the PTFE-containing material, perform significantly better.

80% CO2 saved: The recycled e-chain series

Following the success of the first energy chain made from recycled material in 2022, igus has now converted its entire catalogue range of the standard E2.1 energy chain series to the new recycled material igumid CG LW, a product that is made from end-of-life energy chains recycled through the company’s own “chainge” program. “With this recycled chain series, our customers can make a contribution to the circular economy for plastics together with us,” says Matthew Aldridge. “And it also proves that sustainability doesn’t have to mean expensive, because the recycled E2.1 series are available at the same price as the e-chains made of standard material.” It also has identical mechanical properties, and an 80% lower CO₂ footprint compared to the standard energy chain series.

New technologies for the industries of tomorrow

In addition to working for a more sustainable future for engineering plastics, igus is also driving the development of innovative solutions and certifications for special areas of plastics application, like dry cleanrooms for battery production. The demand for lithium-ion batteries for electric cars is increasing, bringing with it demanding production environments. “In battery dry cleanrooms, many systems break down quickly and have to be replaced after two or three months,” says Matthew Aldridge. Two years ago, igus presented the E6.29, the first certified energy chain for dry cleanrooms. Together with research institute Fraunhofer IPA, the company has now developed a new type of certificate that confirms the cleanroom suitability of igus e-chains in long term tests. Even after 15 million double strokes, or 10 months, the e-skin soft SKS28 still achieved ISO class 4 – the best possible certification. The E6 has also proven itself in long tests and was upgraded from ISO class 4 to 5. At the same time, the company is researching and developing many other progressive technologies, from low-cost automation solutions such as AGVs for intralogistics to the world’s first mobile shore power connection system for container ships.