Prysmian launches the first fibre-optic network with 90% recycled plastic and record reduced diameter

Prysmian Group, world leader in the energy and telecom cable systems industry, announces its support to the Dutch operator KPN in a pilot project involving a fibre-optic network containing 90% recycled plastic. KPN will be the first telecommunications firm in Europe to use the new Prysmian cable concept to install connections for its customers.

This sustainable solution uses the Sirocco HD 96f cable, launched by the Group at the beginning of this year, and thinner Easenet tubes. With its 4.5-mm diameter cable in a 10-mm sleeve instead of the conventional 6-mm cable in a 14-mm sleeve, it guarantees an approximately 50% reduction in the volume of plastic used. Thanks to the smaller diameters, a greater length of cable can be supplied on a single reel, thus significantly reducing costs in terms of transport, storage, and packaging.

The pilot projects will be developed in the Netherlands, in Buitenpost (Friesland) and Nijmegen. Further advantages are expected to emerge during the installation, such as less excavation works required at the network concentration points, leading to less soil to be removed and processed.

“This project is yet another demonstration of Prysmian’s commitment to developing innovative and sustainable quality broadband networks,” stated Toni Bosch, VP Telecom Solutions at Prysmian Group. “With the world’s ever-increasing demand for information, this innovative solution enables the use of smaller trenches for new installations, resulting in lower installation costs and the use of less raw materials. This provides benefits in terms of both the total cost of network deployment and the environmental footprint.”

Approximately 50% less raw materials (plastic or PE) are required for the production of the new cables and tubes than for conventional cabling. Beside these direct savings, the new concept offers an indirect environmental advantage since over 90% of the tubes are manufactured using high-quality recycled PE. This immediately translates into a reduction of the CO2 emissions and ultimately of end-of-life waste. In addition, Prysmian expects to achieve a further reduction of CO2 emissions through savings on logistics, storage, and packaging materials, which will be evaluated in a real-life test for KPN.