Bieglo adds Gimide PEI as a second-source option

Bieglo GmbH has begun offering Gimide polyetherimide (PEI) from Indian manufacturer Gharda Polymers, a strategic business unit of Gharda Chemicals Limited (GCL), on the European market. According to the distributor, there has been no industrial PEI production in Europe for several years, making additional supply sources particularly relevant. The company is positioning Gimide as a second-source option alongside established PEI products such as Ultem, with a focus on sectors where material availability and security of supply are critical.

Polyetherimide is an amorphous high-performance thermoplastic used in applications requiring high temperature resistance, mechanical performance, dimensional stability and electrical insulation. Typical application areas include the electrical and electronics industries, mechanical engineering and aerospace. Various Gimide grades have obtained regulatory approvals, including REACH compliance and certificates of conformity for food-contact applications.

"With GIMIDE, we are creating an additional source of supply for PEI for our customers, thereby increasing flexibility and security of supply in materials procurement," says John Biesterfeld, Managing Director of Bieglo GmbH. "Second-source strategies and the safeguarding of existing supply chains are becoming increasingly important, particularly when it comes to high-performance polymers."

Available Gimide PEI grades

Bieglo offers Gimide in several forms and formulations:

• grades with different viscosities,
• natural PEI,
• black PEI,
• glass-fibre-reinforced PEI,
• carbon-fibre-reinforced PEI,
• PEI powder.

Applications in aerospace and defence

High-performance thermoplastics are used in the aerospace and defence sectors where low weight must be combined with high thermal resistance, electrical insulation and flame-retardant properties. PEI applications in these industries include electrical and electronic components, housings, insulating parts, fasteners and other technically demanding components.

Gimide provides an additional material and sourcing option alongside established PEI products. The suitability of a particular grade for an existing application depends on the applicable technical specifications, material approvals and qualification requirements. Bieglo assists customers with selecting PEI grades and evaluating alternatives within existing material concepts.

Alternative sources of high-performance polymers

Bieglo sources and distributes high-performance plastics internationally in the form of granules, powders, semi-finished products and finished parts. In addition to PEI, its portfolio includes virgin PEEK, recycled PEEK (R-PEEK), thermoplastic polyimide (TPI), PAI, PBI, PEKK and PPSU.

The company focuses on developing additional supply sources and establishing alternative material options for the European market. The addition of Gimide extends this approach to polyetherimide.

Trade fair presentations in 2026

Bieglo plans to present its product range, new materials and procurement options at Fakuma in Friedrichshafen from 12 to 16 October 2026, in hall A4 at booth 4002. The company will also exhibit at Airtec / DefenceTec in Augsburg from 20 to 22 October 2026, in hall 1 at booth P1000. At both events, it intends to meet users from the plastics, aerospace and defence industries.