Food safety, hygiene, material compliance, process efficiency and automation: the food & beverage industry is facing increasingly stringent demands and requirements that affect the entire production line. igus meets these demands by constantly investing in research and development, complementing its already extensive range of tried-and-tested solutions with innovative materials, components and technologies, specifically designed to meet the sector’s unique requirements. These innovations will see the company take centre stage at Cibus Tec 2026 (Parma, 27–30 October), an edition that promises to be particularly focused on technological innovation across the entire supply chain. This vision will be reflected in the igus exhibition stand through concrete solutions for various sectors of the food industry: from the igubal and xiros product families to Apiro drygear gearboxes for handling and format changes, right through to the latest developments in materials research, Hygienic Design, additive manufacturing and automation.

New materials: current requirements and possible regulatory developments

Material composition is a key area of research for igus, particularly in sectors such as the food industry, where components intended to come into contact with food must meet specific regulatory requirements, both European and US (FDA). The presence of substances that may be subject to restrictions is, in fact, becoming an increasingly important consideration in the design process. The company’s work therefore focuses on replacing – even proactively – those substances considered critical with alternative formulations capable of guaranteeing the same technical performance and reliability required for industrial applications. Regulation (EU) 2024/3190, for example, has recently introduced restrictions on the use of bisphenol A and other substances in food-contact materials, whilst the debate on the possible restriction of PFAS – a group to which PTFE also belongs – is still ongoing. In this regard, igus has long been developing PTFE-free polymers, with an ever-expanding range of materials tested for critical PFAS that can guarantee performance equivalent to, or even superior to, that of traditional plastics

Among the latest innovations, iglidur A351, which is free from bisphenol A and bisphenol S, is suitable for BPA-free components used in handling, packaging, filling and packing applications. Alongside this, iglidur A181PF, which contains neither PTFE nor bisphenols, is ideal for plain bearings used in food industry machinery. Compliant with FDA requirements and Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on food contact materials, it offers performance comparable to, or – depending on the application – superior to that of standard PTFE-based materials.

From materials research to hygienic design

In the food & beverage sector, innovation also means designing components that facilitate cleaning operations and contribute to process hygiene, such as the new drylin W linear guide, the world’s first system to have obtained the prestigious EHEDG certification, which igus will be presenting at Cibus Tec. The special geometry, designed in line with Hygienic Design criteria, facilitates cleaning, while dry operation eliminates the need for external lubrication. The carriage, which can be removed without tools, is made of iglidur A160, a high-performance blue polymer that is PTFE-free and PFAS-tested. Possible applications include sealing stations in thermoforming machines, the positioning of dosing heads in filling systems and cutting units in bread slicers.

The same design approach also characterises TH3, the first technopolymer cable chain developed in accordance with Hygienic Design guidelines. With no connecting screws, an open structure and rounded corners to prevent the build-up of deposits and facilitate cleaning, it is made of blue polymers that comply with FDA regulations and offer good resistance to detergents and aggressive chemicals. Compatible with temperatures between -40°C and +70°C, TH3 is ideal for use in food and beverage packaging and filling machines.

New possibilities from 3D printing

The igus exhibition area in Parma will also feature additive manufacturing, which offers new application possibilities in the food & beverage sector for the production of tailor-made components and repeatable geometries. This is the case with 3D-printed feed screws, used in filling and packaging systems to separate and handle bottles, jars and other containers. The geometry is defined according to the format to be handled, and the weight can be reduced by up to 60% compared to traditional screws machined from solid bar stock. The same technology is used to produce can twisters, devices that guide and tip cans, bottles and packs to enable, for example, marking on the base or washing operations.

Automation and palletisation

Innovation by igus also extends to the end of the line, where automation and robotics are playing an increasingly important role. Among the innovations that the company will present at Cibus Tec 2026 is the new self-supporting twisterchain, designed for managing cables and hoses on the first and fifth axes of industrial robots, which is also used in palletising systems. This unique solution allows 360° rotation around the robot’s base and up to 600° on the fifth axis without the need for guide channels.

IGUS IS WAITING FOR YOU AT CIBUS TEC: HALL 2 – STAND N037