BELTS, PULLEYS & CHAINS FEATURE
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY CHAINS
Energy chains manufactured from recycled materials are helping manufacturers meet the growing demands for sustainability
S
ustainability in manufacturing is continuing to grow in importance and, to meet demands, companies are producing
innovative solutions that meet customer demands. Take igus as an example. “We want to offer solutions that make our
customers more competitive and provide sustainable solutions with real benefits, without compromising on quality,” explained Matthew Aldridge, managing director at igus in Northampton. This is where the company’s high performance
plastics come into play – these don’t require any lubrication or grease, which protects the environment and saves costs and maintenance. 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. In relation to this, Rob Dumayne, drytech
director at igus UK, commented: “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.”
As a result, the company 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.
RECYCLED E-CHAIN SERIES Back in 2022, the company introduced the first energy chain made from recycled material. Today, its entire catalogue range of the standard E2.1 energy chain series is now manufactured in 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,” said Matthew Aldridge. “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.” This, the company explains, has identical mechanical properties, and an 80% lower CO2 footprint, when compared to the standard
energy chain series. 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 ten months, the e-skin soft SKS28 still achieved ISO class 4 – the best possible certification.
“With this recycled chain series, our customers can
make a contribution to the circular
economy for plastics together with us”
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.
igus
www.igus.co.uk
JUNE 2025 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 25
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