New solutions for the food and packaging industry

With challenges such as fast-paced production cycles, stringent hygiene requirements, and the recent Bisphenol A (BPA) ban, the company continues to focus on lubrication-free, food-safe technologies that improve reliability and reduce downtime.

The food and packaging industry faces a unique combination of pressures: compliance with strict regulations, the need for hygienic design, and maintaining continuous, high-speed operations. The latest igus product developments directly address these challenges with materials and components engineered for safety, durability, and ease of integration.

Four key solutions

1. Heavy-duty Apiro modular gearbox system

igus has enhanced its Apiro modular gearbox system with a new heavy-duty zinc die-cast housing. This upgrade significantly increases load capacity while maintaining design flexibility. Combined with a high-performance polymer gear, the system offers a robust and adaptable solution for complex motion requirements in demanding environments, remaining completely lubrication-free.

2. BPA-Ffee iglidur A351 material

With the industry-wide shift following the BPA ban, igus has developed iglidur A351 an FDA-compliant, low-moisture alternative, free from Bisphenol A and S. Designed to eliminate the need for technical compromises, the material withstands temperatures from -100°C to +180°C and offers excellent pressure resistance. Suitable for plain bearings, gears, and guides, it is available as injection-moulded components, bar stock, and filament for additive manufacturing.

3. The first EHEDG-certified linear guide

igus introduces the first linear guide certified by EHEDG (European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group). Made for easy cleaning, the system sets new standards in hygienic design. The carriage is manufactured from iglidur A160, a PTFE-free material that operates without lubrication. This results in reduced maintenance, less downtime, and improved process reliability.

4. i6000 3D printing resin

igus is also launching i6000, the world’s first wear-resistant, FDA-compliant 3D printing resin for moving components in food and packaging applications. Currently undergoing certification, the material offers up to 30 times the lifespan of standard resins. Available in white and blue, it comes with ready-to-use material profiles for ASIGA and Formlabs 3D printers, enabling seamless adoption into existing workflows.

“These innovations demonstrate how we are transforming industry challenges into practical, forward-thinking solutions,” says drytech director, Rob Dumayne. “From regulatory compliance to operational efficiency, our goal is to support manufacturers with reliable, hygienic, and maintenance-free technologies.”

igus.co.uk