Prysmian debuts its 1st certified ECO CABLE line in Madrid

The Prysmian Group launched its proprietary ECO CABLE green product line at the 2023 FTTH Conference in Madrid.

Per the company, fiber is intrinsically green as full-fiber networks consume significantly less electricity than copper-based broadband networks, and enable energy savings, helping achieve the twin transitions of Digital Europe and the European Green Deal. Prysmian has taken a step further by introducing ECO CABLE for its telecom products. The ECO CABLE label assignment is based on an automatic calculation system using recognized and measurable criteria in line with the main regulatory frameworks and requirements, with a very specific focus on cable products: carbon footprint, absence of substances of very high concern, recyclability/circularity, recycling input rate, environmental benefits and cable transmission efficiency, which for optical cables means an increase in fiber density.

All the Group’s telecom cables have been assessed, and approximately 30% of them are now ECO CABLE compliant. The roll out of those labelled telecom products began in May in Europe, with the rest to follow later in the year.

At the Madrid conference, the Prysmian Group presented its complete FTTx portfolio for cables and connectivity to meet all demands—current and future—from the market, including the latest solutions for internal and external distribution, cabinets and CasaLink. A specific focus was given to the evolution in cable density with Sirocco HD and Extreme, FlexTube and FlexRibbon, and to sustainability, with ECO CABLE and the Ecoslim system of ducts and microducts that are slimmer, more sustainable and easier-to-install. For more about the Prysmian Group, see p. 46 and p. 80.

Southwire: responsibilty is not limited to production

As a family business, Southwire notes that the business proudly continues to build on its commitment to environmental stewardship by prioritizing stakeholder expectations and supporting the wellbeing of its local communities and the environment. Below, the wire and cable manufacturer—which has nearly 9,000 employees at 60+ plants in 21 states in five countries—discusses its approach.

Strong. Sustainable. Southwire.

We recognize that our success depends on the conscientious use of the finite resources of our planet, and we maintain a commitment to responsible growth and actively integrating environmental priorities into our operations.

In July 2020, Southwire announced a goal to achieve 100% carbon neutral energy for our operations by 2025 (2018 baseline). This objective—coined Carbon Zero— will address our Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions. Southwire will achieve this goal through eco-efficiency projects to reduce energy consumption and increase the use of green energy – including owned renewable energy sources, purchased green power, renewable energy certificates (RECs) and carbon offsets.

Advancing renewable energy

Toward the pursuit of its Carbon Zero goal, in July 2021, Southwire entered into a long-term Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) purchase agreement associated with the Rayos del Sol solar project in Cameron County, Texas. Southwire also signed a contract to participate in Georgia Power’s Customer Renewable Supply Procurement (CRSP) program.

Through these and other efforts, Southwire is using nearly 173 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, enough to meet approximately one-third of the organization’s electricity use. As a result of its leadership in advancing renewable energy, Southwire was accepted into the U.S. EPA Green Power Partnership in 2023.

In July 2022, Southwire was presented with the inaugural Energy Matters Award for Best Sustainability by a Large Company from the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC). Some Southwire’s successes that helped it receive this award include its commitment to being a founding member of the Drawdown Georgia Business Compact; the construction of its new copper rod plant that will have 100% renewable electricity; and the installation of a solar canopy, solar-powered picnic tables and electric vehicle charging stations at its corporate headquarters.

Responsible Production and Transparency

Southwire strives to integrate sustainability into every aspect of the organization. In 2021, Southwire completed collaborations with its bank lenders to integrate a sustainability-linked pricing mechanism into the renewal of its five-year Asset Based Loan (ABL). Southwire is among the first companies to establish a sustainability-linked ABL facility. The ABL enhances Southwire’s commitment to achieving its Carbon Zero goal with financial incen- tives and transparent assurance of the company’s progress toward the goal.

The company is also committed to advancing responsible production of copper, as one of the nation’s largest consumers of copper. In January 2022, Southwire committed to be a partner of the Copper Mark, an organization focused on the copper industry’s contribution to sustainable development. In February 2023, Southwire signed letters of commitment for the Copper Mark, affirming its commitment to the responsible production of copper and beginning the comprehensive assurance process for four manufacturing sites in 2023.

Sustainable Product Innovation

Earlier this year, Southwire was named as the Official Wire and Cable Provider of Formula E, a global leader in electric vehicle (EV) racing, for the 2022/2023 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season. As a part of Southwire’s ongoing collaboration with Formula E, the company has been named as the Title Sponsor of the 2023 Southwire Portland E-Prix on June 24.

The company continues to develop next-generation solutions to help our customers deliver power in more sustainable ways. In recent years, Southwire announced acquisitions of Novinium cable rejuvenation services – innovative technology to extend the life of utility cable and reduce its carbon footprint – and Sinclair Digital Services – expanding Southwire’s investment into DC powered intelligent buildings.

Additionally, Southwire is participating in an ongoing copper supply traceability pilot project with BHP. The companies have completed the first two phases of the pilot to study carbon traceability in the supply chain using blockchain technology from BHP’s copper mines in Chile to copper rod production at Southwire’s rod mill in Carrollton, Ga., and through to Southwire’s wire manufacturing operations. The pilot continues to explore the potential to offer low-carbon products to the end customer.

Driven by the highest standard of excellence, we are focused on continuous improvement and are proud our results continue to build a stronger, more sustainable Southwire.

To learn more about Southwire’s commitment to sustainability, visit https://www.southwire.com/sustainability.

INTERWIRE 2023: an inspired assembly

Interwire 2023 served as a telling statement: the suppliers and manufacturers that gathered once again at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta are indeed ready to meet the incredible future demands that will be needed by society.

Following the pre-event staging of WAI’s iconic Fundamentals course that had record attendance, three days of Interwire exhibits and presentations invigorated attendees. They heard inspiring talks by industry leaders, could sit in on educational elements and panel discussions, visit a show floor that bristled with technology from some 300 exhibitors and hear lofty thoughts from a NASA astronaut who proved to be well grounded.

Through it all, as the following pages will show, it is the people active in the industry who will make it happen ... as has always been the case.

By the numbers, Interwire, last held in 2019, saw total attendance of 3,184, representing 43 states and 42 countries. Representatives came from 285 wire and cable manufacturing operations. But Interwire is about more than numbers. It is about the role the WAI serves the industry through providing educational programs (such as its iconic Fundamentals course, see p. 60); fostering business meetings via the exhibits, sessions addressing relevant issues and honoring the award winners (see p. 62); and the many Association volunteers who make it all possible.

The full program was led off Tuesday morning with a banging of the gavel by WAI President Kurt Breischaft, who reported how the Association stayed true to its educational mission during the Covid disruption. It continues to look for ways to further those goals, with one initiative being an ongoing pilot program to deliver multi-media training and development to the industry.

Breischaft observed that the WAI was able to return to normal activities with the 2022 staging of Wire Expo in Dallas, and that the resulting momentum had carried through to Atlanta. “We feel that Interwire signals a return to normal activities,” he said, crediting the WAI’s board, committees, volunteers and the industry at large.

Breischaft announced the winner of a new Association honor: the WAI Champion Award, and introduced the first recipient, Southwire President & CEO Richard Stinson, who the next day would receive the award that honors an industry executive for his/her strong support of the WAI’s mission.

Multiple awards, some delayed because of Covid, were issued, including 2021 WAI President Tom Heberling presenting the President’s Award to William Jarae, a long active presenter who retired from Charter Steel; Wire Foundation COB John Drummond recognized the 2022 Wire Link Scholar, Southwire Chief Applications Engineer Erika Akins, and the 2023 U.K. representative, Sam Otter, wire rope global procurement manager for Gripple; 2022 WAI President Jim York of Insteel received a plaque and a bound copy of 2022 WJI issues; the 2023 President’s Award was presented to Robert Wild, president and CEO of Niehoff Endex North America; the Mordica Memorial Award to Dr. Bruce Keifer, retired, Primetals Technologies, USA; and the 2023 Donnellan Award to W.T. Bigbee, vice president of operations, Encore Wire Corporation.