Wire and cable | feature
Producers of wire and cable compounds are tackling strict global environmental concerns while being asked to satisfy increasingly demanding performance requirements. Mark Holmes reports
Cable industry rises to the environmental challenge
Technological and market innovation both continue to be key development drivers for the wire and cable compound sector, but perhaps an even greater impetus for new product development is environmental regula- tion. Such concerns have risen up the agenda to become a top priority in almost all geographical markets, according to Juan D Martinez, Global Market Manager Energy at Buss, a major supplier of com- pounding machinery to wire and cable producers. “For many years developed countries have been paying special attention to all issues related to the environmental impact of electrical cables, from the safety of electrical installations to implications for health of the materials used for cable manufacturing,” Martinez says. “This view has driven the introduction of many new products, such as halogen-free fl ame retardant compounds, and encouraged the development of improved processes with lower energy consumption and more effi cient use of raw materials. Now these concerns have spread to many other countries, particularly in Asia, and constitute some of the most signifi cant growth areas.” Martinez says that Buss has been responding to these new developments, with one example evident in
www.compoundingworld.com
the introduction of its four-fl ight technology, which is said to require less energy than previous compounding technology standards. Of course, this focus on environ- mental aspects supplements, rather than replaces, traditional development drivers such as technical performance, market competition and regulation. “New applications, for example in renewable
energies, electric vehicles and smart grids, demand new or improved properties of the materials used for cable manufacturing. Additionally, the research and develop- ment work of all companies involved in the supply chain - suppliers of raw materials and additives, compound- ers, suppliers of machinery and cable manufacturers - continuously provide more competitive solutions for new and traditional applications,” Martinez says. Martinez adds that new or modifi ed national
international regulations can also play an important role in motivating the incorporation of novel developments. “For example, in Europe the new Construction Products Regulations originated with the intention of stimulating and clarifying competition, as well as highlighting the safety of electric installations. However, it will also undoubtedly encourage research and innovation in all aspects of fi re performance of cables,” he explains.
May 2016 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 45
Main image: Down-hole
applications in the oil & gas industries are just one
example where high perfor- mance ETFE
cable products from AGC can make a
difference
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