Stage 23: The Final Ride in Brazil
Michael Poepke | 21. May 2026
The final kilometers of the igus:bike tour through Brazil carried a special meaning.
After crossing roads, cities, factories, parks and stories throughout the country, Stage 23 brought us to our final stop in the state of São Paulo: the city of Limeira, where we visited ISTOBAL Brasil — a global reference in vehicle wash and care solutions.
More than a factory visit, this stage became a reflection of everything the igus:bike project represents: movement, innovation, reliability and connection between people, technology and purpose.
During our conversation with Renan Ferrari, development engineer at ISTOBAL Brazil, one thing became very clear: behind every machine, there is a continuous search for efficiency, durability and sustainability.
And that is exactly where long-term partnerships are built.
Present in ISTOBAL operations globally, igus has followed the company’s expansion journey across different countries, supplying technologies designed for dynamic applications and continuous movement. From chainflex cables and e-chain systems to self-lubricating bearings, the focus has always been the same: reliability.
One sentence from the interview perfectly summarizes this relationship:
“I’ll sum it up in one word: reliability.”
In an industry where every movement matters, reliability becomes much more than a technical requirement — it becomes part of the customer experience itself.
Inside the ISTOBAL M-Wash 2 system, we could see how motion plastics technologies are integrated into multiple critical points of the machine, helping ensure high performance, durability and reduced maintenance needs.
But beyond engineering, this stage also reinforced another topic that has increasingly connected companies around the world: sustainability.
Reducing lubrication points, increasing service life and minimizing waste are no longer future goals — they are present-day engineering decisions. And seeing igus and ISTOBAL moving in the same direction made this final stage even more meaningful.
As the ride continued toward Campinas and the iconic Parque Portugal (Lagoa do Taquaral), one image symbolized the spirit of the entire project: the Portuguese caravel standing beside the lagoon.
A symbol of exploration.
Of movement.
Of discovering new paths.
Exactly like the igus:bike tour.
Over these stages across Brazil, we collected far more than kilometers.
We collected stories.
Partnerships.
Conversations.
Learning experiences.
And memories that now become part of this journey forever.
Our sincere thanks to every customer, partner, university, collaborator and friend who welcomed us throughout this adventure.
To everyone from the igus team who made this project happen behind the scenes — from planning and logistics to marketing, technical support, sales and communication — thank you for believing in this idea and helping transform it into something truly memorable.
And a very special thank you to SURA Seguros, our safety partner throughout this journey, for supporting and protecting the igus:bike during every kilometer of this incredible experience.
The Brazilian stages may be coming to an end — but the movement continues.
Because the igus:bike was never only about reaching destinations.
It was always about everything discovered along the way. 🚲
Our riders:
Beatriz Sebastiani – Marketing Analyst
My name is Beatriz, and I have been part of the igus Brazil marketing team since 2024, when I began my journey as an assistant.
From the very beginning, I felt that igus would provide me with opportunities for both professional and personal growth. Today, one of my main responsibilities in marketing is managing online orders, which have been growing exponentially each year.
Being part of the igus bike tour is a great opportunity for me to get to know our customers up close and share their stories and values with the world.
I embraced this challenge with great enthusiasm, and we are excited to keep the world moving together.
Gabriel Volpato – Marketing analyst
My name is Gabriel, and I have been part of the igus Brazil marketing team since 2020, when I joined the company as an apprentice. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to grow alongside the company and evolve within the marketing area.
Today, I work with graphic design, video editing, and digital marketing initiatives, helping transform ideas into visual experiences that communicate the igus purpose. I enjoy being hands-on, learning new skills, and taking on challenges with enthusiasm, whether behind a camera, at the computer, or on the road.
Accompanying the igus Bike Tour throughout its entire journey is a unique opportunity for me to tell real stories, capture meaningful moments, and showcase how our brand connects with people, places, and innovation.
I am truly excited to be part of this experience and to help ensure that every stage of the tour becomes a memorable chapter in our story.
Map of this stage:
