Green Manufacturing
Plastic Bicycle Made From Recycled Fishing Nets
The bike does not rust, needs no oil and is virtually maintenance-free.
COLOGNE, Germany—Igus, a manufacturer of automation components, has designed a new bicycle that consists of more than 90 percent plastic, from the frame to the bearings to the toothed belt. At least 50 percent of the plastic for the bike is derived from recycled fishing nets.
Called RCYL, the bike does not rust, needs no oil and is virtually maintenance-free. For the moving components, igus relies on its lubrication-free, rust-free and recyclable high-performance plastics.
The company has set a goal of producing 5,000 of the plastic bicycles by June 2025. Eventually, the company hopes to establish local production of the bikes at landfill sites around the world and thus close the plastic cycle.
The company first presented the concept of the RCYL in 2022. “Now, two years later, we have a product ready for series production that we manufacture ourselves,” says Frank Blase, CEO of igus. “We are delighted to fulfill the first 1,200 pre-orders.”
The company hopes to produce 10,000 of the bikes in 2026. To achieve this, igus is investing in the development and construction of its own roto-molding systems. The company also plans to offer its plastic bike parts to other bicycle OEMs.
The RCYL weighs approximately 17 kilograms and will retail for 1,243 euros. For more information, click here.
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