Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings

igus advances the circular economy with the first e-chain made entirely of recycled material

By Heather Hall | June 16, 2022

Share

igus, the Germany-based manufacturer of motion plastics and moving cable management systems, announced the world’s first cable carrier system made entirely from recycled material.

Cradle-to-cradle: this is the principle of the circular economy, which is based on nature. The aim is to return consumer goods to the biological or technical cycle in order to conserve valuable resources and raw materials. The motion plastics specialist igus is also pursuing this goal and has developed the world’s first energy chain made from recycled material based on its own “chainge” e-chain recycling program.

More sustainability with consistent quality: The new cradle-chain made of recycled material conserves resources and drives the circular economy forward. (Source: igus GmbH)

From extreme weather and natural hazards to marine pollution, the climate crisis is worsening, and more and more people are becoming aware of it.

“Even the purchasing decisions of our customers are increasingly being shaped by ecological considerations. That is why we have put a lot of effort into product development in order to be able to produce more resource-efficiently – without sacrificing product quality,” said Jörg Ottersbach, head of the igus e-chains Business Unit.

The result is the E2.1.CG cradle-chain – a complete range of e-chains made from the new igumid CG material.

“Numerous tests in our own test laboratory show that the new e-chain has almost the same technical properties and load limits as an energy chain made from the standard igumid G material. Another advantage is that the cradle-chain is available at the same price as e-chains made from the standard material,” said Jörg Ottersbach.

The new range of e-chains is available from stock in five series and 28 chain types.

From discarded e-chain to recycled material

The cradle-chain uses, among other things, recycled material from the “chainge” recycling program. As part of this program, igus has been collecting used energy chains from customers since 2019, so they do not end up in industrial waste. This service is offered for both igus e-chains and chains from other manufacturers. So far, more than 32 tons of material have been collected across 13 countries. For 2022, igus has set its goal to increase this total to 500 tons.

Scrap material is sorted by type, cleaned and processed to new quality. This is possible with the help of a chemical analysis and formulation tuning- a process in which material is optimized for the desired properties and enables consistent product quality. The post-consumer material igumid CG is then used to make the recycled cradle-chain – without any loss of quality in terms of wear behavior, stability or bending fatigue.

Sustainable raw material cycle – with 28% less CO2

With the new e-chain product range made of recycled material, igus is making a further contribution to conserving resources and advancing the circular economy. According to the Environment Product Declaration, this sustainable raw material cycle also reduces CO2 emissions by 28%.

“The focus should not be only on first use of products, but also the reuse of raw materials. We see a lot of ‘cradle-to-cradle’ potential and strive to reprocess as many raw materials and discarded products as possible so that precious resources are not wasted but used wisely for as long as possible,” said Jörg Ottersbach.

Learn more about plastic e-chain cable carriers from igus.

You may also like:


  • How to get everyone on the same page

  • GE Aviation Singapore first to offer metal additive for engine…
  • igus-logo
    igus increases delivery capacity and grows by 32%

  • Leveraging Wireless Power for medical application

  • EXAIR’s CE Compliant Chip Vac

  • CERATIZIT acquires remaining shares in Stadler Metalle

Filed Under: Cables + cable management
Tagged With: igus, igusinc, igus inc.
 

Related Articles Read More >

igus becomes world’s first manufacturer to receive UL approval for halogen-free TPE cables
igus expands E4.1 e-chain modular system for long travels
zuken
Harness-building software simplifies quoting process, automates harness documentation
icotek introduces CCL clamps

DESIGN GUIDE LIBRARY

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Renishaw next-generation FORTiS™ enclosed linear encoders offer enhanced metrology and reliability for machine tools
  • WAGO’s smartDESIGNER Online Provides Seamless Progression for Projects
  • Epoxy Certified for UL 1203 Standard
  • The Importance of Industrial Cable Resistance to Chemicals and Oils
  • Optimize, streamline and increase production capacity with pallet-handling conveyor systems
  • Global supply needs drive increased manufacturing footprint development

Design World Podcasts

June 12, 2022
How to avoid over engineering a part
See More >
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP AWARDS

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings