MAKATI CITY, Philippines – Nov. 5, 2026 – PRLog — As food industry regulations continue to evolve, machine designers are facing growing pressure to select components that meet not only hygiene and performance requirements but also stricter material compliance standards. Addressing this challenge, igus has introduced iglidur® A181PF, a new food-contact plain bearing material engineered without PTFE (PFAS) or bisphenols, offering manufacturers greater long-term regulatory confidence without compromising performance.
Plain bearings play a critical role in food-processing machinery, supporting applications such as pivot arms, guides, rollers and flaps. However, increasing scrutiny of certain chemicals is reshaping component selection. Regulatory discussions around PFAS substances, including PTFE, and the implementation of EU Regulation 2024/3190, which restricts the use of bisphenols in food-contact materials, are prompting manufacturers to seek safer alternatives.
“We developed the new A181PF plain bearing specifically for food-processing machinery and applications that require freedom from both PTFE and bisphenols,”
Advanced Material Development for Food-Safe Motion
Replacing PTFE while maintaining low friction and excellent dry-running characteristics presented a significant engineering challenge. igus materials researchers developed an innovative combination of alternative solid lubricants and an optimized polymer matrix to achieve comparable or superior tribological performance.
The result is a robust bearing material that withstands shocks, impacts and edge loads while operating reliably in temperatures ranging from -50°C to +90°C. Internal testing demonstrated wear rates of only 0.57 μm/km under a load of 1 MPa and a sliding speed of 0.3 m/s, matching or exceeding the performance of the established iglidur® A181 material.
Designed for Hygiene-Critical Food Processing Environments
The integrated solid lubricants enable lubrication-
In addition, iglidur® A181PF offers excellent resistance to cleaning chemicals and low moisture absorption, allowing for precise installation with minimal bearing clearance. These characteristics make it particularly suitable for applications where food may come into direct contact with machine components.
With the launch of iglidur® A181PF, igus provides food industry manufacturers with a future-ready solution that combines food-safe compliance, PFAS-free technology, dry-running performance, and enhanced planning certainty amid evolving regulatory requirements.
For more information on igus PTFE-free products, visit: https://www.igus.sg/