Matthias Meier (igus Spain): ‘We have a continuous presence in more than 30 different industries’

igus continues to be a benchmark for innovation in highly efficient and sustainable industrial processes for the automotive industry and many other sectors. This is what Matthias Meier, CEO of the company in Spain, tells us. CEO of the company in Spain.

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Interview published in AutoRevista 2.402

AutoRevista.- What projects does igus Spain have underway for the automotive industry?

Matthias Meier.-  There are open projects in practically all production plants or engineering companies in the industrial fabric. Whether for the modernisation of feeding systems to welding stations, reduction of cycle times in handling, automatic press feeders, end-of-line, etc. Robotics, both anthropomorphic and collaborative robots are clearly on the rise, and cable protection systems in motion from the first to the seventh axis have many components where igus can help to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

AR: What is igus's growth dynamic in relation to 3D printing?

M.M.-  Our goal is to remain the leading company in the 3D printing of plastic parts for motion. We continue to achieve very high growth figures year after year, which reaffirms our strategy based on three pillars: innovation in materials, expansion of services with the integration of new technologies, and adaptation to market demands, primarily focused on customization.

We continually develop and test new materials that provide greater strength and durability and meet our customers' requirements. This year, for example, we introduced our new i4000 resin, specially developed for printing gears, which is one of our most frequently requested products. With this new material, we significantly increase durability and resistance to breakage.

Furthermore, we continue to focus on FDA and ESD materials for motion parts, which are in high market demand. At the same time, we're expanding the functionality and ease of use of our web configurator. By simply uploading their part in step format, our customers can choose the material, see its shelf life, detect potential printing issues, or choose to apply a post-process such as tinting or chemical treatment. They can also, of course, instantly obtain pricing based on quantities and place their order directly.

The market is increasingly seeking customization in its motion parts. Therefore, we offer our customers three manufacturing technologies: SLS, FDM, and DLP, to adapt to the needs of each part and application. This allows us to manufacture all types of complex parts, even parts up to 1 meter or just a few millimeters, at a very low cost, which would be impossible or very expensive with other manufacturing processes.

Ultimately, we will continue to focus on 3D printing because we believe the market demands it and the growth potential is enormous in the coming years. We want to continue being a leading company in 3D printing, always providing the highest service and quality to our customers.

AR.- How is igus's value contribution in sustainability growing?

M.M.- Our company is intensifying its commitment to industrial process efficiency and environmental sustainability. This is reflected in initiatives such as the development of PFAS- and PTFE-free materials and the publication of technical documents addressing these topics.

In response to increasing restrictions on the use of PFAS in Europe, we have developed PTFE-free versions of our most widely used iglidur materials, such as J, W300, M250, G, X, and H, offering more sustainable alternatives without compromising performance.

We have also developed innovative solutions that optimize industrial processes. iglidurGO is an artificial intelligence-based application that allows engineers to quickly identify lubrication-free components that improve reliability and reduce costs. This is also demonstrated in a joint study with the Technical University of Aachen, which found that the use of lubrication-free plastic bearings can save companies between €7,000 and €14 million annually, in addition to significantly reducing CO₂ emissions.

Smart Plastics focuses on components equipped with sensors that enable real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance, avoiding unplanned downtime and extending machine life. Our commitment to the environment and achieving a circular economy for plastics is reflected in other initiatives such as the "Chainge" program, where we recycle used energy chains to generate new industrial components; or the manufacture of the igus:bike together with its partner MTRL. This bicycle, made almost 100% of plastic, contains 50% recycled material, much of it from fishing nets. 

It's a clear example of how plastic can be repurposed, closing the consumption cycle. These actions demonstrate our commitment to a more efficient and sustainable industry through innovation in materials and the dissemination of technical knowledge that enables companies to adapt to an evolving regulatory environment and sustainability demands.

AR.- How does igus promote synergies between different business sectors?

M.M.- By being very close to its customers. igus is fortunate to be constantly present in companies from more than 30 different industries, such as aerospace, renewable energy, food, robotics, and packaging, among many others. All of these industries face continuous challenges. We understand their challenges and collaborate with them to develop customized solutions, which, once designed and tested in our 4,000 m2 test laboratory, can be extended to other companies and industries.

A good example of this is the theater and stage industry. Thanks to our close proximity to stage engineers and designers in the United Kingdom, we were able to adapt a solution like the e-spool cable reel, designed for sectors such as machinery and public works, to provide cable conduits for stage design, including stereo cables for recording musical events.