igus presents: bike concept at 2022 Olympic rally

From ocean plastics to motion plastics: this is the goal the specialist for high-performance plastics is pursuing with the igus:bike project – the concept of a bicycle made of over 90 percent plastic. The highlight: the bike can also be made to a large extent from recycled plastic waste such as discarded fishing nets. This is how the mobility of tomorrow is to be created from yesterday’s marine plastic. For the joint development of a first bicycle model, igus has invested in the Dutch start-up mtrl. The motion plastics specialist now also presented this model and the concept behind the igus:bike project at the start of the 2022 Olympic Rally Revival in the marine city of Kiel.

Kiel is characterised by its proximity to the Baltic Sea and marine conservation is an obvious topic. Commitment to a clean future is a concern that is also shared by the Cologne-based company igus. Because the responsibility towards the environment and the changed handling of plastics do not leave the industry unscathed. This is why igus is pursuing the goal of extending the life cycle of products and thus conserving valuable resources – for example by recycling worn-out energy chains. The igus:bike project was also launched partly out of this motivation: the concept of a lubrication- and maintenance-free all-plastic bicycle that can also be made from recycled plastic waste. igus now also presented the first model and the sustainable concept behind the project in Kiel – the starting point of the climate-neutral Olympic Rally 2022. The modern reinterpretation of the event supports the Bergwaldprojekt e.V. association in the Harz mountains and is part of the celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1972 Munich and Kiel Olympic Games.

Mobility according to the Almost Zero Waste principle

igus motion plastics have already been used successfully in the field of mobility for decades – whether in the automotive industry, shipping, aircraft or the bicycle industry. With the igus:bike project, igus is striving to find a solution for contemporary mobility as well as for environmental pollution caused by plastic waste. The concept: an all-plastic bicycle that is completely smear-, rust- and maintenance-free and can thus stand outdoors in any weather and transport generations of people. If the bicycle reaches the end of its life at some point or a new frame size is needed, the plastic can be regranulated and used to build a new bicycle. The first model was developed together with the Dutch start-up mtrl, which has already been producing bicycles with frames and wheels made of plastic for several years. In combination with the know-how of igus and the motion plastics components further developed for the new application, the first prototype was created. The special feature: A large part of the raw materials required can be covered by recycling plastic waste.

Sustainability – the production process also counts

mtrl also takes a sustainable approach to the production process, because the plastic can be recycled and reshaped on site with little energy input. To this end, mtrl relies entirely on renewable energies in its own laboratory in Nijkerk, for example through solar cells on the roof, in order to keep the CO2 footprint as low as possible. For the production, mtrl uses specially built machines with lubrication-free and durable igus components. The plastic is moulded using a low pressure, high temperature rotomoulding process that combines heat and biaxial rotation. The bicycle is made from soft plastics such as polyethylene (PE). The goal is to establish local production facilities around the world near landfills in the future, creating a sustainable and transparent supply chain. mtrl will begin production of the mtrl.bike by the end of this year. The market launch in Germany is planned for early 2023.

Know-how platform for bicycles made of plastic

But there is more behind the igus:bike concept: because with the launch, the doors are open for further partnerships and impulses. “With the igus:bike platform, we want to promote know-how around plastics in the global bicycle industry,” explains Alexander Welcker, Sector Manager Bicycle Industry at igus. “In this way, we can implement and further develop the concept with many other bicycle and component manufacturers. Our vision: to make plastic a valuable and sustainable resource and to promote the circular economy internationally as well. Then the way we deal with plastic can also change positively in many other areas.”

For more information, please visit: https://www.igus.de/