igus launches BPA-free material for food machinery in response to new EU regulation

SINGAPORE - June 25, 2026 - PRLog -- With the introduction of EU Regulation 2024/3190, machinery manufacturers in the food industry must transition away from components containing bisphenol A (BPA) starting July 2026. Addressing this shift, igus has developed iglidur A351, a new lubrication-free high-performance plastic that enables fully BPA-free component design without compromising performance.

Unveiled at Hannover Messe 2026, iglidur A351 allows design engineers to seamlessly replace conventional materials without requiring design changes. The material is FDA-compliant, and free from both BPA and BPS, ensuring full regulatory alignment while maintaining established engineering standards.

Designed for diverse applications, iglidur A351 is suitable for plain bearings in conveyor systems, gears for packaging machines, and components with direct product contact such as guides and spacers. To support flexible production, igus supplies the material as injection moulding granules, CNC machining bar stock, and 3D printing filament.

The material combines high stability and low weight, with a density of approximately 1.42 g/cm³ and compressive strength of around 78 MPa, enabling reliable performance even under demanding loads. Its low moisture absorption (≈0.6%) ensures dimensional accuracy in humid environments, while a wide operating temperature range from -100°C to +180°C supports both intensive cleaning cycles and high-temperature processes.

A key advantage of iglidur A351 lies in its self-lubricating properties, enabled by integrated solid lubricants. This allows for dry, hygienic operation, eliminating the need for external lubrication. As a result, machines benefit from reduced maintenance, improved reliability, and lower operating costs.

Additionally, the material's blue color enhances detectability in food production environments, improving product safety through optical inspection systems. Like all igus materials, iglidur A351 has been rigorously validated in the company's 5,500 m² in-house laboratory.

With iglidur A351, igus provides a future-ready, compliant, and cost-efficient solution—helping manufacturers navigate regulatory changes while building more reliable and hygienic food-processing systems.

Find more at https://www.igus.sg/plain-bearing/news/iglidur-a351