igus has reached a significant milestone, surpassing one billion euros in sales, while simultaneously increasing its active customer base by 5%. The company also announced a record number of new products, launching 277 innovative motion plastics solutions in 2025, aligning with their “GO ZERO Lubrication” initiative. These products include PTFE-free materials, a fully recycled energy chain series, a new dry cleanroom certification, and a humanoid robot. Despite the challenges faced in 2024 due to geopolitical and economic factors, igus was able to maintain a turnover of €1.105 billion, experiencing only a modest 2.5% decline.
Tobias Vogel, CEO of Plain Bearings and Linear Technology at igus, acknowledged the difficulties posed by the changing political and economic environment but emphasized that igus remains committed to its customers. “We’re focusing on efficiency and innovation to stay competitive, and this year’s record product innovations reflect our ongoing investment in R&D,” said Vogel. Over the past five years, igus has invested more than €350 million in its Cologne facility, which now spans approximately 218,000m², including a 20,000m² production hall and a state-of-the-art test lab.
Michael Blass, CEO of e-chain systems at igus, highlighted the company’s commitment to being close to its customers. igus is expanding its operations globally, including a major facility expansion in Shanghai and a new 16,000m² campus in Bangalore. The company has also expanded its capabilities in the USA, China, and Brazil, where regional hubs are being developed for local production and testing.
Additionally, igus continues to expand in Germany, acquiring elko Verbindungstechnik to enhance its assembly capacities in southern Germany. This acquisition supports the company’s goal of providing customer-specific systems, particularly for the automotive and machine tool industries. The company is also increasing automation at its Cologne site with the introduction of crimp towers and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) to improve efficiency.
igus is making significant strides toward its goal of achieving CO2 neutrality by 2025. With a focus on sustainable practices, the company has reached 92% of its target for CO2-neutral production (Scopes 1 and 2). igus is implementing various initiatives, including the installation of photovoltaic systems, the greening of a multi-storey car park, and the expansion of its waste-heat recovery system.
igus continues to drive innovation in sustainability, presenting new eco-friendly products such as PTFE-free iglidur bearings and energy chains made from recycled materials. The E2.1 energy chain series, for example, is now produced with post-consumer recyclate, reducing the CO2 footprint by 80%. The company also unveiled the Mobile Shore Power Outlet (iMSPO), which provides shore power to container and cruise ships. The system is already operational in ports like Hamburg, Rotterdam, and Singapore and has been nominated for the prestigious Hermes Award.
Additionally, igus has introduced new solutions for dry cleanrooms, which are critical in industries such as battery production. Working with Fraunhofer IPA, the company developed a certificate to confirm the suitability of its e-chains for cleanrooms, where they have been tested for long-term durability with minimal particle emissions.
In response to customer demand for cost-effective solutions, igus launched the glide-chain G4.42, a more affordable energy chain designed for simple gliding applications. This new product is 30-40% more cost-effective and 12-25% lighter than standard chains, making it a more efficient choice for indoor cranes and similar applications.
igus is also innovating in the field of Low Cost Automation. The company is developing its first humanoid robot made of high-performance plastic, designed for flexibility across different workstations. The robot uses ReBeL cobots for its arms and offers a return on investment in less than a year, demonstrating the continued potential for innovation in German manufacturing.
igus GmbH specializes in the development and production of motion plastics—lubrication-free, high-performance polymers that enhance technology and reduce costs in any application involving movement. As the global leader in energy supply systems, highly flexible cables, plain and linear bearings, and lead screw technology made from tribo-polymers, igus provides innovative solutions across various industries. Headquartered in Cologne, Germany, this family-owned company operates in 31 countries and employs approximately 5,000 people worldwide. In 2023, igus achieved a turnover of €1.136 billion.
The company’s commitment to innovation is fueled by research conducted in its industry-leading test laboratories, resulting in increased reliability and new solutions for users. With 243,000 parts available from stock and the ability to predict service life online, igus continues to push the boundaries of technology. Recent expansions include internal start-ups in ball bearings, robot gearboxes, 3D printing, the RBTX platform for low-cost robotics, and smart plastics for Industry 4.0. Additionally, igus has made significant environmental investments, such as the “chainge” platform for recycling technical plastics and partial ownership in a company producing oil from plastic waste.
