Sustainability meets innovative technology – igus presents slewing ring bearings made of WPC at the Hannover Messe

With the new slewing ring bearing made of WPC (wood-plastic composite), igus is taking another step forward in the integration of renewable raw materials in industrial production. By using 50 per cent wood and 50 per cent high-performance plastics, customers receive a cost-effective and lubrication-free slewing ring bearing. It strikes a good balance between strength, durability and environmental friendliness with a proven low CO2 footprint.

How can renewable raw materials also be put to meaningful use in industry? The plastics specialist igus has considered this question and has now developed an iglidur PRT slewing ring bearing made of wood-plastic composite (WPC for short) for the first time. “As a plastics expert, we are now also venturing into the wood sector. Last year, we presented wooden shafts as possible mating partners for our linear guides for the first time. This year, we are integrating the wood directly into our products,” explains Marc Trenkler, Product Manager for Slewing Ring Bearings at igus GmbH. Here, igus can rely on its proven injection moulding. The new PRT consists of WPC, a mixture of wood fibres and iglidur high-performance plastics. The materials incorporate solid lubricants that make the slewing ring bearing smooth-running, lubrication-free and maintenance-free. The wood content gives the whole thing a natural look. Both the housing and the component are made of the WPC material. It only takes four screws to connect the two parts.

Cost-effective, low CO2 footprint, tried and tested

Developed specifically for the standard installation size PRT 02, the slewing ring bearing from igus is an equally priced alternative to the cost-effective PRT made of solid plastic, without compromising on performance. It allows for easy adjusting, for example in furniture technology, while offering a robust design that fulfils the requirements of various applications. A special feature of this new product is its extremely low CO2 footprint of just 0.0577kg. By comparison, the PRT-02-30-ECO, which is already made from 97 per cent regranulate, has a CO2 equivalent of 0.819868kg. To ensure the reliability and performance of the new slewing ring bearing, it was subjected to extensive tests under real conditions in the 3,800m2 igus laboratory. These analyses confirm the high quality and reliability of the product under various operating conditions.