Industrial manufacturing systems are increasingly moving toward automation, predictive maintenance, cleanroom compatibility and digitally connected production environments. Across sectors such as automotive, semiconductor manufacturing, battery production, logistics and healthcare, industries are seeking technologies capable of operating with lower maintenance requirements, reduced downtime and improved operational efficiency. Within this industrial transition, lubrication-free polymers, low-cost automation and intelligent motion systems are gaining growing significance across global manufacturing infrastructure.

igus presented one of its largest technology showcases at Hannover Messe 2026, held in Germany between April 20 and 24 under the theme #ThinkTechForward. Located at Hall 13, Stand C60, the company introduced 227 new motion plastics innovations spanning robotics, cleanroom systems, digital engineering tools, energy-chain technologies and AI-supported automation platforms.

The company positioned the presentation around its engineering philosophy, “Improve what moves,” while focusing on five strategic areas including Tech Up, Cost Down, Sustainability, Proof and Digital.

A central direction across the Hannover Messe presentation remained low-cost automation and robotics designed for scalable industrial deployment. igus showcased developments across humanoid robotics, autonomous mobile robots, browser-based robot control systems and lightweight modular automation platforms developed to simplify industrial automation for manufacturers operating across varied scales.

The company’s RBTX automation ecosystem featured prominently across the exhibition, presenting robotics integration systems aimed at reducing dependence on specialized programming expertise while upgrading deployment speed and operational flexibility. Solutions including iggyRob Home, ReBeLMove Pro and modular linear robot systems were presented as part of this broader automation strategy.

Artificial intelligence also emerged as a significant layer across the company’s robotics and automation technologies. The developments presented focused heavily on intuitive programming environments, predictive maintenance support and simplified machine interaction intended to accelerate industrial adoption of automation systems.

Alongside automation, igus expanded its motion plastics portfolio, positioning lubrication-free tribopolymers as alternatives to conventional lubricated mechanical systems. The company presented engineering advantages including lower maintenance requirements, corrosion resistance, reduced contamination risks and predictable service life across demanding industrial environments. 

One of the strongest technical themes visible at Hannover Messe 2026 involved PTFE-free and PFAS-tested material technologies developed around evolving regulatory and compliance requirements. igus introduced multiple tribopolymer systems designed for food processing, healthcare, semiconductor manufacturing and cleanroom environments where material compliance and contamination control remain critical operational considerations.

Products including iglidur® A181PF, iglidur® i6000 resin, xiros® hybrid ball bearings and drylin® NTM systems were presented as part of this direction toward low-friction, wear-resistant and regulatory-ready engineering materials.

Cleanroom and dry cleanroom technologies also occupied a major section of the company’s Hannover Messe presentation. With battery manufacturing, semiconductor fabrication and laboratory automation sectors expanding globally, igus introduced multiple systems developed specifically for contamination-controlled production environments.

The company showcased lubrication-free energy-chain systems, low-particle motion technologies and IPA-certified solutions developed for dry cleanrooms used in battery gigafactories and semiconductor facilities. Systems such as e-skin® flat multi-pods, C6 cleanroom energy chains and drylin® SLW systems were highlighted across these applications.

igus mentioned that increasingly automated battery production lines operating under demanding chemical and environmental conditions require motion systems capable of functioning without conventional lubricants while maintaining process stability and minimizing maintenance intervention.

The Hannover Messe showcase also presented broader developments across energy-chain technologies and charging infrastructure systems linked with industrial electrification and mobility expansion. Solutions including e-spin for the E4Q family, e-tract DC Horizontal, e-tract AC Horizontal and guidelok slimline mini were developed for applications across electric vehicle charging infrastructure, logistics hubs, automated storage systems and high-power charging environments. 

Digital engineering support remained another major direction across the company’s industrial strategy. igus presented online configurators, CAD engineering tools, service-life prediction systems and digital calculators developed to simplify engineering workflows, reduce planning time and improve product selection accuracy.

The company’s testing and validation capabilities also formed a significant part of the Hannover Messe presentation. igus currently operates a 5,500-square-metre testing laboratory supporting up to 17,000 tests annually, including cleanroom certification, outdoor testing, chemical resistance validation, service-life simulations and environmental performance testing.

Sustainability remained integrated throughout the company’s broader engineering direction. igus presented initiatives linked with recyclable energy chains, lubrication-free systems, reduced maintenance waste and lower CO₂ impact across industrial applications. Through its chainge® recycling programme, the company has already processed over 235 tonnes of used energy chains.

Production at the company’s Cologne facility has also achieved climate-neutral status under Scope 1 and Scope 2 standards, while expanded local manufacturing capabilities across multiple international markets are contributing toward shorter transport routes and reduced logistics impact. The company additionally presented the outcomes of the 10th Vector Award 2026, recognizing innovative industrial applications involving igus energy-chain systems across global industries. The competition received 424 entries across 36 countries.

The highest recognition was awarded to Cruise Port Rotterdam for its mobile shore power system allowing docked cruise ships to eliminate diesel generator emissions during port operations. Other recognized applications included Jenaer Antriebstechnik’s cleanroom positioning systems for electronics production, advanced stage-lighting systems at the Royal Ballet and Opera in London and Membion GmbH’s wastewater filtration technologies designed to remove microplastics and bacteria.

igus also showcased its expanding industrial and manufacturing footprint globally. The company reported €1.155 billion turnover in 2025, representing 4.4% annual growth despite broader global economic challenges. Investments totaling €124.4 million are currently supporting expansion across manufacturing infrastructure, automation systems and global production capabilities.

China, Germany and the United States continue remaining the company’s largest markets, while expanded facilities across Poland, Turkey and Japan alongside new subsidiaries in Australia, Morocco, Ivory Coast and Latvia are further extending regional production and supply capabilities.

Commenting after Hannover Messe 2026, Artur Peplinski, CEO and Spokesman of the Management Board at igus, stated that discussions and industry feedback during the exhibition demonstrated the importance of collaborative approaches toward industrial challenges and technology adoption. 

The company’s Hannover Messe 2026 presentation pointed toward a wider industrial transition where motion plastics, intelligent automation and advanced material science are increasingly influencing how future manufacturing systems are being developed globally. Across cleanroom engineering, humanoid robotics, AI-supported automation, electrification infrastructure and BPA-free and PFAS-tested material technologies, industries are steadily moving toward systems requiring lower maintenance, improved performance, contamination-controlled operation and faster scalability.

As semiconductor manufacturing, battery production, logistics automation and robotics continue expanding internationally, lubrication-free motion technologies and lightweight polymer engineering are expected to occupy a larger role across next-generation industrial infrastructure. igus’ developments at Hannover Messe 2026 demonstrated how compact engineering, digitally supported automation and sustainable material systems are becoming increasingly important across global industrial technology development. 

Upcoming European trade platforms will further expand igus’ focus on motion plastics, robotics, cleanroom systems and industrial automation technologies. The company is scheduled to participate at All About Automation Hamburg between May 19 and 21, 2026 at Hall D92, followed by the Hamburg edition on June 2 and 3 at Hall 511, and All About Automation Straubing on June 10 and 11 at Hall M-400.