igus cuts CO2 by 80% with recycled E2.1 energy chains

By Staff Report June 17, 2025 12:53 pm IST

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

The European Union wants to establish a circular and climate-neutral 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. With the E2.1 energy chain series, which will be completely converted to recycled material this spring, igus shows that this is no longer a dream of the future. 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. It consists of post-consumer recyclates, such as old fishing nets and discarded energy chains, which are recycled and processed into recyclables as part of the in-house “Change” programme.

More sustainability without additional costs or loss of quality
Energy chains made from sustainable materials have mechanical specifications comparable to those of standard chains and are available at the same price as the previous E2.1 series. Even in terms of wear behaviour, stability and continuous flexing cycles, the energy chains offer the same quality. The series is characterised by a long service life, particularly quiet operation, and easy filling and installation. “With this recycled chain series, we are enabling customers to make a contribution to the circular economy for plastics together with us,” says Jörg Ottersbach, Head of Business Unit e-chains at igus. “By switching to igumid CG LW, we are demonstrating that circular economy and cost-effectiveness are by no means mutually exclusive.

80% lower CO2 footprint
By opting for the E2.1 series, customers are making an important contribution to the sustainable production of the future. Compared to the standard material, the recycled material has an 80% lower CO2 footprint. igus itself is also driving forward its sustainability measures with the new products. The company is focussing on measures in all areas (Scopes 1 to 3), from using process heat and green electricity to adding more e-charging stations to modernising buildings.

Around 170t of material collected
As part of the “Chainge” programme, igus has been taking back end-of-life energy chains from all manufacturers since 2019. In 2022, an online platform was added to the recycling initiative, allowing customers also to recycle other components made of technical plastics when purchasing processed material in the form of regrind and regranulate. In addition to taking back old energy chains, igus also takes back old material as part of assembly orders. Around 170t of plastic have already been recycled via the “Chainge” platform. For its recycling programme, igus was awarded the Rhineland Business Prize in the sustainability category (2022) and took first place in the “Going Circular” recycling competition organised by the Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce (2023).