80 percent lower carbon footprint

Following the successful development of the world's first energy chain made from recycled plastic, motion plastics specialist igus is taking the next step: The company is converting the entire catalog range of its standard E2.1 energy chain series to the new recycled material igumid CG LW.

The European Union aims to establish a circular economy by 2050 at the latest. Instead of producing waste, a functioning circular economy relies on the "cradle-to-cradle" concept. Consumables are returned to the natural and technical cycle to conserve valuable resources and raw materials. Igus is demonstrating that this is no longer a distant prospect with the E2.1 energy chain series, which will be converted entirely to recycled material starting this spring. The company is taking this step after introducing the first energy chain made from recycled material in 2022. The energy chain series is now manufactured from the recycled material igumid CG LW. This consists of post-consumer recycled material, such as old fishing nets, as well as used energy chains, which are recycled and processed into recycled material as part of the company's own "chainge" program.

Greater sustainability without additional costs or loss of quality

The energy chains made from this sustainable material not only have comparable mechanical properties to the standard material, but are also available at the same price as the previous E2.1 series. Even in terms of wear behavior, stability, and fatigue life, the energy chains offer the same quality. The series is characterized by a long service life, particularly quiet operation, and easy filling and assembly. "With this recycled chain series, we enable customers to contribute to the circular economy for plastics together with us," says Jörg Ottersbach, Head of the e-chains business unit at igus. "By switching to igumid CG LW, we demonstrate that circular economy and cost-effectiveness are by no means mutually exclusive."

80 percent lower carbon footprint

By choosing the E2.1 series, customers are making an important contribution to sustainable production of the future. Compared to the standard material, the recycled material has an 80 percent lower carbon footprint. Igus itself is also advancing its sustainability efforts with the new products. The company is focusing on measures in all areas (Scope 1-3), from the use of process heat and the expansion of electric charging stations to the use of green electricity and the modernization of buildings.

Around 170 tons of material collected

Igus has been taking back used energy chains, regardless of manufacturer, as part of the "chainge" program since 2019. In 2022, the recycling initiative was expanded to include an online platform through which customers can also have other components made of engineering plastics recycled and simultaneously purchase processed material in the form of regrind and regranulate. In addition to taking back old energy chains, igus also takes back scrap material as part of assembly orders. Around 170 tons of plastic have already been recycled via the "chainge" platform. For its recycling program, igus has received awards including the Rhineland Business Award in the Sustainability category (2022) and took first place in the Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce's "Going Circular" recycling competition (2023).