Innovating to compete

Innovating to compete side-by-side with customers. In recent years, Prysmian has launched new technologies, products and processes onto the market, all of which represent a benchmark in both the energy cables and telecom cables businesses.

Energy

• Insulation and sheathing LS0H compounds (Afumex™);
• Lead-free cables for the Industrial area adopting the innovative airbag technology which, in conjunction with aluminium laminate tapes, replace the traditional lead sheath to provide superior protection against mechanical shock and harsh environments;
• Extra flexible cables for special applications in the Industrial area, including mobile equipment;
• Optopower System Technology: high and extra high voltage underground cables used in the Utilities area incorporating optical fibre cables monitor various network parameters (e.g. temperature).

Telecom

• CasaLight™: a fibre with enhanced performance under severe bending conditions designed specifically for FTTH applications;
• Verticasa™: system which provides an efficient way of deploying fibres in buildings and multi dwelling units;
• ADSL++ (20-30 MHz) and VDSL (up to 60 MHz) high-frequency telecom cables for use within Central Exchanges and for the outdoor network (last mile);
• Dry technology: optical cables in which the gelatinous lubricants normally used to protect the fibres from moisture are eliminated reducing installation time;
• Optical Ground Wire cables (OPGW) for overhead lines based on FiAlt technology (Fibre into Aluminium Tube), which allow both a cable size and weight reduction.

P-Laser: an innovative technology for the cable industry

Prysmian has made significant progress in developing its P-Laser technology: an innovation of major importance for utilities as regards power distribution. From a technical perspective, P-Laser consists of an insulating system based on thermoplastic materials. This allows a more competitive production process since it can be manufactured on a single, uninterrupted production line, thereby significantly reducing the factory lead time. Prysmian's P-Laser cable uses a High Performance Thermoplastic Elastomer Compound (HPTE) developed in Prysmian's R&D laboratories and patent protected. It can also be produced according to different metallic screen protections and outer sheath configuration requirements. P-Laser not only offers a more compact architecture and compatibility with conventional cables and accessories but also the fundamentally important benefit of being completely recyclable: the offer of P-Laser cables therefore represents an opportunity for utilities, who are increasingly focusing on the eco-sustainability of their growth strategies. Manufacturing started in 2008, and 2011 saw the Group reaching the important milestone of 10.000 km of P-Laser MV cable produced in the Italian factory of Pignataro Maggiore. P-Laser has already received IMQ certification in Italy and has also been approved and adopted by major Italian utilities.