Nexans and Trimet improve the eco-balance of power cables

In a joint breakthrough development project, the two companies have developed a material with recycled aluminum content for the production of aluminum rod used in electrical cables. Until now, power cables have been manufactured exclusively on the basis of primary aluminium.

The new product meets the high technical requirements for the mechanical properties and conductivity of the alloy while reducing the product’s carbon footprint. 

Collaborative project between Nexans and Trimet

Melting and recycling of aluminum scrap requires only a fraction of the energy needed to produce primary aluminum. However, recycled aluminum contains impurities that adversely affect the material’s specific properties. The collaborative project between Nexans and Trimet aimed to coordinate optimized raw material supply and innovative material development. For example, Nexans has refined the sorting of aluminum scrap at its production sites in Europe through Recy Câbles, a Nexans-Suez joint venture, while gearing its collection to recycling for electrical cables. Trimet has closed the material cycle with its recycling concept and used the scrap obtained to develop a high-quality alloy that meets the full range of quality requirements for mechanical and electrical performance.

Recycling offers high potential for reducing CO2 emissions 

“Our project shows that recycling offers enormous potential to reduce CO2 emissions. I am proud that Nexans can now offer its customers a product that combines superior quality while ensuring a higher level of circular economy. Nexans thus pursues ist strategy to constantly look for new sources of value for its customers” says Vincent Dessale, Chief Operating Officer of Nexans. The group is a leader in the design and manufacturing of cable systems and services across five main business areas: energy generation & transmission, distribution, usages, industry & solutions and telecom & data.

“Recycling is an important component of sustainable aluminium production for us. The development of high-quality alloys with the smallest possible carbon footprint makes a significant contribution to this” says Philipp Schlüter, CEO of Trimet Aluminium SE and President of Trimet France SAS.

Growing demand for products with a favorable eco-balance 

Nexans plans to maximize the use of aluminum rod with recycled aluminum content in 2023. This enables the global company to meet its customers’ growing demand for products with a favorable eco-balance. For its part, Trimet is expanding its range of recycled products in the aluminum wire sector. In so doing, the materials specialist is building on its commitment to decarbonize production while making a further contribution to the energy transition.