manus® awards 2027

Application Deadline by February 12, 2027

13th competition for exceptional plastic bearing applications

Have you rethought your approach to plain bearings? Have you replaced conventional lubricated metal bearings with lubrication-free plastic bearings, linear plain bearings or spherical bearings? Excellent! With your application, you show how technical innovation and sustainability can be successfully combined - and we are looking for exactly this kind of project for the manus award 2027.

The competition is one of a kind across the globe and has been awarding prizes for creative applications of polymer plain bearings since 2003. We offer you a platform for your project and worldwide attention. In addition, we award prize money of up to €5,000.

Submit your application

You can win the following:

Since 2003, the manus award has developed into a competition that attracts international attention. It offers you a large stage on which you can present your company's innovative strength to the industry.

Participants from all over the world compete for the gold, silver, bronze and green manus award. All winners will also receive a marketing package worth over €10,000. The in-house igus agency produces a user report in an industry medium (DACH + international) and professional video material of the application.

The golden manus

Prize money of €5,000

The green manus

Prize money of €3,000

The silver manus

Prize money of €2,500

The bronze manus

Prize money of €1,000

What are we looking for?

We talk to engineers every day and often hear that the pressure is increasing. It's not just about cost-efficiency, but also about continuously improving the carbon footprint of products - for example by eliminating lubricants. As part of the 13th manus award, we therefore want to find out what influence the use of plastic plain bearings has on your application, your sustainability goals and your costs.

What technical problems were you able to solve by using plastic bearings?
How have polymer bearings been able to improve the sustainability of your application?
What effects will the change have on costs?

Submit your application now

Submit your application now

Winners of the manus award 2025

Browse winners from previous years

Golden manus®

Portable surgical microscope by Prechtl TechSolutions - Germany

The portable lightweight surgical microscope enables operations in developing countries worldwide. Sleeve bearings are used as radial and thrust bearings.

More about the application

Green manus

TSE solar modules with tracking systems - France

This photovoltaic power plant generates electricity with the help of solar panels, while the ground area can still be used for agriculture. In use are igubal pillow block bearings.

More about the application

Silver manus®

Bicycle semi-trailer from zemmi GmbH - Germany

The bicycle semi-trailer offers a sustainable alternative to conventional delivery vehicles and offers significantly more space than cargo bikes. iglidur J plain bearings are used.

More about the application

Bronze manus®

In-row hoeing machine with AI from Farm-ING Smart Farm Equipment FlexCo. - Austria

A state-of-the-art AI camera system helps the weeder to remove only weeds and no crops. Plastic bearings are used in the hoe linkage.

More about the application

Browse winners from previous years

Award Process

Application phase

You can submit your applications for the manus award until February 12, 2027.

Jury session

As part of the jury meeting, experts from the specialized press, industry and business vote on the winners of the manus. Selection is based on five categories - idea, plain bearing function, savings, effect and differentiation.