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PRYSMIAN GROUP | DIRECTORS’ REPORT
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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
With 17 Centres of Excellence, over 530 professionals, more than 4,750 patents and partnerships with
universities and research centres in many countries, the Prysmian Group intends to be an innovation leader.
Prysmian Group has always given key strategic importance to Research & Development to maintain its
market leadership, with the aim of differentiating itself and of providing its customers with technologically
innovative solutions at increasingly competitive costs. The Group currently has 17 Centres of Excellence,
with headquarters in Milan, and over 530 skilled professionals. With more than 4,750 patents granted or filed
and partnerships with major universities and research centres in many countries where it is present, the
Prysmian Group intends to be industry leader in R&D. The Group's spending on Research, Development
and Innovation amounted to approximately Euro 73 million in 2015, broadly in line with the previous year and
confirming its steadfast commitment to and focus on sustainable long-term growth.
Prysmian Group R&D Centres
The main achievements in the Energy business during the year are described below.
Submarine Systems.
In the area of cables for submarine systems, work continued to expand the range of
three-core alternate current (AC) cables. In addition to the official qualification of the 50 Hz cable with 1200
mm² 220 kV copper conductors, two new types of three-core cables were developed with double steel-stud
armouring for installation at medium-high depths of nearly 1,000 metres. Still in the AC cables area, a new
single-core cable design with optical cable integrated in the armouring was developed and qualified for the
submarine project in the Philippines. In addition, special repair methods, suitable for the presence of optical