WCA November 2023

RAYEX® D Dynamic X-Ray Measuring System

Benefits: Latest generation of measurement algorithm provides measurement readiness within one second

Micro-focused X-ray beam ensures highest measurement accuracy New generation of X-ray sources with extended lifetime

Direct access to the sensors via the web server

Simultaneous acquisition of all measured values from both measurement axes

Zumbach Electronic AG | Hauptstrasse 93 | 2552 Orpund | Schweiz Telefon: +41 (0)32 356 04 00 | Fax: +41 (0)32 356 04 30 | sales@zumbach.ch | www.zumbach.com

As good as new again – or even better. NIEHOFF modernization.

During the design and manufacturing of its equipment, NIEHOFF focuses on advanced technology, quality, reliability, robustness and durability. That is the reason why NIEHOFF machines that have been in operation for decades are also worth a modernization performed by NIEHOFF specialists. These professionals have access to well-maintained and original documentation, and thus to all pertinent data. Because of their experience and expertise, NIEHOFF specialists can handle all customer-specific particularities. This applies practically to all NIEHOFF machines including any modifications made to them by customers. The spare parts needed for reconditioning are produced in house on cutting-edge machining centers to OEM quality, and thus meet the same high requirements as parts for new machines. Our technicians inspect the machine or line in question on site and analyze the specific increase in efficiency, which can be achieved by a modernization . The measures will then be done at either the customer’s site, on the shop floor at NIEHOFF facility or at a NIEHOFF subsidiary with its own manufacturing. After completion of the modernization measures, the machines or lines are not only “in mint condition”, but often show higher productivity than before. In most cases, modernizing NIEHOFF machines even after decades of use is therefore worthwhile. Allow us the opportunity to evaluate your modernization needs.

NIEHOFF Original +

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Top Performance

Expertise, Customer Driven, Service – in Good Hands with NIEHOFF

Maschinenfabrik NIEHOFF GmbH & Co. KG Walter-Niehoff-Strasse 2, 91126 Schwabach, Germany Phone +49 9122 977-0/Fax +49 9122 977-155 info@niehoff.de

www.niehoff.de

New machine to increase capacity A growing order book in a bid to support its customers across 65 countries has seen Alloy Wire International (AWI) take delivery of a new wet drawing machine that will allow the company to significantly increase capacity. As part of a larger £500,000 investment plan at the UK company, the new machine will fit seamlessly into the new production set-up to help reduce lead times. With two sites in the UK, AWI was purchased by three directors in January this year, and there has since been a significant growth in sales, with orders up nearly 40 per cent. For the full story, turn to page 10.

Editor ( 编辑 ) David Bell Editorial Assistant ( 助理文字编辑 ) Christian Bradley Design & Production ( 设计/制作 ) Lisa Wright Advertising/Marketing ( 广告/营销 ) Jason Smith UK, Italy, USA, Canada, India & ROW 英国、意大利、美国、加拿大、印度及世界其它国家 Linda Li Asia 亚洲 Advertisement Coordinator ( 广告联络人 ) Liz Hughes Accounts Manager ( 财务经理 ) Louise Jennings Subscriptions ( 订阅) Louise Jennings Web Design/Developer ( 网页设计/开发 ) Andrew Barnes Social Media Administrator ( 社交媒体运营专员 ) Milly Harrison Founder ( 创办人 ) John C Hogg Advertising/Marketing & Editorial ( 广告, 营销及编辑部 ) Intras Ltd Unit 32, Tangent Business Hub, Shirebrook, Nottinghamshire NG20 8RX, UK This publication and its full contents of layout, text, images, and graphics is copyright protected. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or any other storage or retrieval system without the publisher’s written permission. The publisher, owners, agents, printers, editors and contributors cannot be held responsible for and hereby exclude all liability whatsoever for errors, omissions or the accuracy and claims printed or inferred in the editorial or advertisements published in this, previous or subsequent editions or for any damages, costs or losses caused thereby. Wire & Cable ASIA reserves the right to edit, reword and subedit all editorial submissions in accordance with editorial policy. Wire & Cable ASIA expressed graphically or by text is a registered name and style trademark of Intras Ltd, UK. All matters relating to this Disclaimer are governed by the laws of England. 《亚洲线缆》杂志所有图文受版权保护。未经书面授权不得全部或部分 以任何方式转载。出版商、编写者、代理商、印刷商及投稿者对在本期、 以前、以及将来刊登的稿件或广告的准确性和提出的索赔不承担责任。英 国 Intras Ltd 公司拥有《亚洲线缆》( Wire & Cable ASIA ) 图像和文字注 册商标。 Wire & Cable ASIA is published three times a year. It is distributed throughout North and Southeast Asia to registered readers in wire, cable and wire component producer and consumer industries. Annual subscriptions are available from just US$80. 《亚洲线缆》每年出版 3 期,面向整个北亚、东南亚地区的电线、电缆和 线材制品的生产商和用户发行。订阅年费最低 80 美元。 US Copies only : Wire & Cable ASIA (ISSN No: 0218 - 3277, USPS No: 022-979) is published three times a year: March, September and November by Intras Ltd and distributed in the USA by Asendia USA, 701 Ashland Ave, Folcroft PA. Periodicals postage paid at Philadelphia, PA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER : send address changes to Wire & Cable ASIA , 701 Ashland Ave, Folcroft PA 19032. Europe ( 欧洲 ) Tel ( 电话 ): . .................. +44 1926 334137 Fax ( 传真 ): .................. +44 1926 314755 Email ( 电子邮址 ): ........ wca@intras.co.uk Website ( 网站 ): ........... www.read-wca.com Editorial ( 广告/营销 ) Intras USA – Doug Zirkle Danbury Corporate Center, 107 Mill Plain Road, Danbury, CT 06811, USA Tel ( 电话 ): . .................. +1 203 794 0444 Email ( 电子邮址 ): ........ doug@intras.co.uk USA ( 美国 )

Wire bending machinery manufacturer Pneuform has been acquired by Unison Ltd for an undisclosed sum.

The deal gives Unison the opportunity to strengthen its position as a key provider of machinery to the international wire bending and coil forming sectors.

This will also lead to investment in Pneuform, with Alan Pickering, Unison’s joint managing director, stating: “To ensure that Pneuform is able to further develop its position as a leader in wire and small tube bending machines, we have a number of new machine tool technologies in the pipeline.” See page 14 for full details.

Cabopol Polymer Compounds is expanding its global presence with the opening of a new production site in Monterrey, Mexico.

The producer of thermoplastic and cross-linked compounds sees the new unit as part of a long-term strategy to provide clients with better products and services as it bids to reach new markets.

With an original configuration of two production lines, the company expects to achieve a yearly production of 25,000 tons. This is Cabopol’s first production unit on the American continent and paves the way for expansion in the region following the successful operation of production units in Serbia, Morocco and Portugal. Read the full story on page 17. David Bell Editor

Front cover courtesy of Sikora AG showing their Centerview 8000 For more details please call:

Tel: +49 421 48900 0 Fax: +49 42148900 90

sales@sikora.net www.sikora.net

All rights reserved © 2023 Intras Ltd ISSN 0218-3277

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Supermac – Global Solution Provider in Extrusion and Process Technology along with IIOT applications

Supermac Industries established in the year 1974 is a leader in manufacturing of high end systems and process technology for the wire & cable in Power and telecom sector and related Industries. The ISO 9001 and CE certified company specializes in offering customized and tailor made solutions to fulfil specific needs of the variety of customers all across the globe. With a highly skilled design team, with the best of manufacturing and highly talented commissioning team, trained experts in cable processes and technology, we offer design to process expertise to bring in the best product for you. Supermac Industries established in the year 1974 is a leader in manufacturing of high end systems and process technology for the wire & cable in Power and telecom sector and related Industries. The ISO 9001 and CE certified company specializes in offering customized and tailor made solutions to fulfil specific needs of the variety of customers all across the globe. With a highly skilled design team, with the best of manufacturing and highly talented commissioning team, trained experts in cable processes and technology, we offer design to process expertise to bring in the best product for you. Supermac has expertise providing on line commissioning from remote. Post commissioning customer service support is provided Supermac has expertise providing on line commissioning from remote. Post commissioning customer service support is provided

IIOT screen IIOT screen

from both on site as well as from remote. In our endeavour to conform to industry 4.0 norms, Supermac has taken strong strides forward in implementing several digital initiatives and can provide IIOT enabled extrusion lines supported by Siemens Mind sphere software from both on site as well as from remote. In our endeavour to conform to industry 4.0 norms, Supermac has taken strong strides forward in implementing several digital initiatives and can provide IIOT enabled extrusion lines supported by Siemens Mind sphere software The company has three established and running units near New Delhi and are adding another unit under our expansion program. The company has three established and running units near New Delhi and are adding another unit under our expansion program. The state-of-the art facilities are equipped with international and indigenous machinery to carry out the process of manufacturing as per the customer’s requirements. Supermac has strategic partnership with German Companies – M/S Scholz to cover CCV Lines, M/S Rubicon to cover Rubber extrusion Lines and Simpack USA for Coiling machines and Solutions. The state-of-the art facilities are equipped with international and indigenous machinery to carry out the process of manufacturing as per the customer’s requirements. Supermac has strategic partnership with German Company – M/S Scholz to cover CCV Lines, and Simpack USA for Coiling machines and Solutions.

High speed building wire line High speed building wire line

Supermac specializes in the following areas: • State of the art CCV Line with Supermac specializes in the following areas: • State of the art CCV Line with

• Rubber extruders for Insulation and sheathing materials • Silicone extrusion lines with infrared vulcanization system • Cat 5.6 and 7 Lines • FTTH drop cable lines • Fluoropolymer – FEP, PTFE /ETFE Lines • Loose tube/Secondary coating lines for fibre optics • Extruders for variety of applications – up to 175 mm • Cross-Head Single/Dual/Triple • Haul-Off Caterpillar • Capstan • Take-up and pay-off of all types and sizes and as per requirement above 4.5 meters and 40 MT • Rubber extruders for Insulation and sheathing materials • Silicone extrusion lines with infrared vulcanization system • Cat 5.6 and 7 Lines • FTTH drop cable lines • Fluoropolymer – FEP, PTFE /ETFE Lines • Loose tube/Secondary coating lines for fibre optics • Extruders for variety of applications – up to 175 mm • Cross-Head Single/Dual/Triple • Haul-Off Caterpillar • Capstan • Take-up and pay-off of all types and sizes and as per requirement above 4.5 meters and 40 MT

Scholz Vulcanization system for Power Cables up to 132 KV XLPE and 33 KV for Rubber • Specialized Medical Tubing extrusion lines • Proven Triple Extrusion Line for SIOPLAS (XLPE) cables • High speed Insulation Line and Sheathing Line for House Wiring & Control Cables and medical equipment sector. • High output and best in class Insulation Line and Sheathing Line for Power and Optical fiber Cables. • HCV insulation and sheathing line • Hybrid and composite CCV lines for both XLPE and Rubber. Scholz Vulcanization system for Power Cables up to 132 KV XLPE and 33 KV for Rubber • Specialized Medical Tubing extrusion lines • Proven Triple Extrusion Line for SIOPLAS (XLPE) cables • High speed Insulation Line and Sheathing Line for House Wiring & Control Cables and medical equipment sector. • High output and best in class Insulation Line and Sheathing Line for Power and Optical fiber Cables. • HCV insulation and sheathing line • Hybrid and composite CCV lines for both XLPE and Rubber.

Supermac CCV Line Supermac CCV Line

www.supermacindia.com www.supermacindia.com

SUPERMAC INDUSTRIES (INDIA) LIMITED SUPERMAC INDUSTRIES (INDIA) LIMITED

UNIT-I : Plot No-2, Sector-6, IMT Manesar, Gurgaon Haryana, INDIA Ph.: +91-0124-4690500 | Fax: +91-0124-4690501 E-mail: jasvinder@supermacindia.com, vkohli@supermacindia.com UNIT-I : Plot No-2, Sector-6, IMT Manesar, Gurgaon Haryana, INDIA Ph.: +91-0124-4690500 | Fax: +91-0124-4690501 E-mail: jasvinder@supermacindia.com, vkohli@supermacindia.com

OFFICE : A-28 & 29, NARAINA Industrial Area Phase-1, New Delhi-110028, INDIA Ph.: +91-11-45574317 E-mail: office@supermacindia.com OFFICE : A-28 & 29, NARAINA Industrial Area Phase-1, New Delhi-110028, INDIA Ph.: +91-11-45574317 E-mail: office@supermacindia.com

7 UNIT-II : Plot No. 18-19, Sector-2A, IMT Manesar, Gurgaon, Haryana, INDIA UNIT-II : Plot No. 18-19, Sector-2A, IMT Manesar, Gurgaon, Haryana, INDIA

Wire & Cable ASIA – November 2021

Contents

8 Industry News 18 Technology News 26 India Insight 28 People 40 Editorial Index 40 Advertisers Index Regulars

ISSN: 2633-9676 print

ISSN: 2633-9684 online Photo by: farkas mario, Unsplash

33 Industry News 36 Products

Technical Article 38 A technical view of the importance of medium

24

voltage (MV) cable testing A technical insight on critical testing and the difference between MV and LV cables, and additional testing needed for MV and the role of an independent third party and accredited body By BASEC (British Approvals Service for Cables)

18

bigstockphoto.com Artist Ivan Zhukevych

Diary of events

8-11 January 2024 Steel Fab Trade exhibition Sharjah, UAE Organisers: Expo Centre Sharjah www.steelfabme.com

November 2023

5-7 March 2024 AMI Cables Trade exhibition Düsseldorf, Germany Organisers: AMI www.ami-events.com 25-28 March 2024 Global Industrie Trade exhibition Paris, France

Next Issue

Getting Technical What manufacturing looks like with (and without) ERP software Featuring

Organisers: Global Industrie www.global-industrie.com

• wire 2024 Düsseldorf – preview issue • Wire bending, straightening and forming • Armouring and reinforcing of cables

15-19 April 2024 wire Düsseldorf Trade exhibition Düsseldorf, Germany Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf GmbH www.wire.de

Subscribe today!

15-19 April 2024 MACH 2024 Trade exhibition Birmingham, UK

Organisers: The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) www.machexhibition.com

11-13 May 2024 China (Guangzhou) International Metal and Metallurgy Exhibition Trade exhibition Guangzhou, China Organisers: Guangzhou Julang Exhibition Design Co Ltd www.julang.com.cn

Visit us online at www.read-wca.com

Shows correct at time of publication, please check to ensure the event is going ahead

Industry News

The opening ceremony for the new facility

Second US manufacturing plant for Madem-Moorecraft Madem-Moorecraft has held the

innovative machinery, and brings pride to the Madem-Moorecraft team and Madem Group worldwide. It all has been designed to deliver unparalleled wooden and plywood reel experience to the North American cable industry.” manufactures wooden and plywood reels, supplying more than 200 cable industries in over 45 countries, including 42 cable manufacturing plants in the USA. The group has manufacturing and distribution facilities in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, USA, Spain and Bahrain. Madem Group www.mademreels.com The Madem Group

in 2024 will provide an additional 50 per cent capacity increase. The total investment will exceed $14mn, and more than 100 jobs will be created. “We are very happy with the growth of our production in the United States and we appreciate the partnership with our customers,” said Gino Francesco Mazzoccato, president of Madem Group. “We will continue to strive towards excellence in our products and services.” Marcos Conde Ramalho, president of Madem-Moorecraft Reels USA, added, “Our most advanced industrial engineering project has just started materialising in Denton, Texas. This manufacturing system is made up with

opening ceremony for its new facility in Denton, Texas, USA, where employees welcomed customers, suppliers and shareholders. Also in attendance were city officials including Mayor Gerard Hudspeth; Cole Frazier, from the local chamber of commerce; Joe Holland, Denton County district judge; Brian Beck, Denton City Council; and Jeff Coulter, representing Michael Burgess, with the US Congress. The completed first phase of the new Denton plant increases Madem Moorecraft’s total production capacity by 50 per cent (150 truck loads of kits/ month). The completion of phase two

Convincing premiere for wire Middle East Africa in Cairo

from the industries and to discover the latest machinery, equipment, products and services from the metal and steel industry and the wire, cable, tube, foundry and metallurgy sectors. Another edition of the trade fairs will be held in the first half of 2025, again in Cairo. Messe Düsseldorf GmbH www.wire-mea.com www.messe-duesseldorf.de

these growth markets. 383 exhibitors from 19 countries took the opportunity to show their products and services. In addition to local companies, exhibitors from the UK, France, Austria, Belgium, Turkey, Spain, Switzerland, Morocco, the USA and Germany, among others, were in attendance. More than 7,000 professionals (around ten per cent international) travelled to Cairo over the three days to network and find out about trends and innovations

Messe Düsseldorf’s four new foreign satellite exhibitions took place in Cairo, Egypt, from 2 to 4 September. wire and Tube Middle East Africa, together with GIFA and METEC Middle East Africa, were presented for the first time at the Egyptian trade fair Metal & Steel Egypt at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in Cairo. The regions of Egypt, the Middle East and North Africa offered many first-time exhibitors the opportunity to invest in

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November 2023

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Industry News

Initiative to help manufacturers adopt latest technologies The Manufacturing Technologies

technologies such as automation and robotics, data and artificial intelligence for manufacturing, sustainable manu- facturing towards net zero and the use of additive manufacturing techniques. Figures from International Federation of Robotics’ World Robotics 2023 Report: Asia ahead of Europe and the Americas show the UK in 23 rd place in terms of the global utilisation of industrial robots in manufacturing. One of the Knowledge Hubs at MACH 2024 will aim to educate companies on how the technology can be used to automate many processes to improve productivity. Commenting on the initiative, James Selka DL, CEO of the MTA, said, “Although industrial robot installations in the UK were up three per cent last year, this was just a tenth of what is happening in Germany and also behind the likes of France, Spain and Italy. Our Knowledge Hubs at MACH 2024 aim to reverse the decline and enable the UK to re-establish itself as a sovereign manufacturer. To do that, we have to recognise the importance of

Association (MTA) will use its MACH 2024 event to launch a new initiative to help UK manufacturers become more competitive while improving efficiency and sustainability. A series of “Knowledge Hubs” will feature at the event, being held at the NEC, Birmingham, UK, from 15 to 19 April 2024, designed to encourage UK engineering-based manufacturers to adopt new technology and techniques to enable them to compete globally in a sustainable manner. is currently one of the slowest of the G7, characterised by low productivity, low wages and poor investment. In many cases, global competitors have not just caught up with the UK but have overtaken it in terms of productivity and investment. Adoption of new technology and implementing the latest techniques in manufacturing processes is one way to boost the UK’s economic output. The MTA’s Knowledge Hubs at MACH 2024 will focus on educating users in when and how to adopt new The UK’s economic growth

James Selka, CEO, MTA

investing in the latest technologies for improving manufacturing efficiency and optimising productivity. Our role is to help UK manufacturers focus on the new technology and provide impartial advice and way-finding on when and how to adopt.” Another of the MTA’s Knowledge Hubs will focus on the adoption of data and artificial intelligence (AI) in manufacturing – the latest technology designed to help manufacturing achieve agility through improved production processes while reducing costs and streamlining the supply chain. Additive manufacturing is also a technology with potential to revolutionise the way parts and products are designed and manufactured. Manufacturing Technologies Association www.machexhibition.com AWI, which has two UK sites in the West Midlands and Yorkshire, was purchased by directors Tom Mander, Andrew Du Plessis and Adam Shaw in January 2023. The new management team has overseen a significant growth in sales, with orders up nearly 40 per cent, placing the company on course for record turnover in its 77-year history. Investment in people and increasing stockholding of its 62 high-performance alloys, to more than 400 tonnes, has helped the company attract spring makers, fastener manufacturers and suppliers to the automotive, aerospace, oil and gas, nuclear and med-tech sectors. The company is further investing in a four-spindle annealing line spooler, a new multi-head drawing machine and two single-hole drawing machines. Alloy Wire International www.alloywire.com

First machine arrives as AWI starts £500,000 investment drive Alloy Wire International (AWI), which supports more than 6,000 customers across 65 countries, has purchased a new wet drawing machine that will allow the company to significantly increase capacity. The new machine is the first in a £500,000 investment drive, which is in response to AWI’s growing order book. seamlessly into the production set up, with specific features to help reduce lead times. Capabilities of the £145,000 machine include pre-programming to allow for set spool weights or wire lengths, and flexibility to work with a wider range of both inlet and finish sizes. This in turn increases the range of mechanical properties that can be offered across all of its 62 grades.

The AWI team worked with the manu- facturer to ensure the machine will fit

Tom managing director of AWI, said, “Our sales have risen by over £6mn in the last eighteen months and our pipeline of orders is looking extremely healthy – the time was right to push the button on upgrading our manufacturing capabilities.” Commenting on the new machine, he added that it has been “customised for our operations and will allow us to consider work we have previously turned down.” Mander,

AWI is investing in new machinery to help expand capacity and capability

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SHOW ISSUES WIRE DüSSELDORF 2024

Preview Issue January 2024

Show Issue March 2024

JANUARY Editorial deadline: 4 th December 2023 Advertising deadline: 1 st December 2023

MARCH Editorial deadline: 1 st February 2024 Advertising deadline: 5 th February 2024

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sales & marketing – Far East (Chinese & English speaking) Tel: +44 1926 834685 Email: linda@intras.co.uk

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Industry News

Transfer of responsibilities at Redies Germany With effect from October, Redies Deutschland GmbH managing director Ulrich Kiwus has appointed Ferdinand Kiessling as his successor. Aachen, Germany, followed by a third site in Vamberk, Czech Republic, in 2007. Redies Deutschland GmbH

six countries complemented the line-up with national pavilions. wire Southeast Asia showcased machin ery and equipment for wire production, wire processing and wire finishing, ac cessories, measuring, control and testing technology, as well as new and further developed special wires and cables. Ma chines and technologies from the fields of tube manufacturing, tube processing and tube finishing completed the range. 7,400 trade fair visitors, around 30 per cent of them international, went to Bangkok to find out about industry now serves international customers, with production centred on drawing tools with natural diamond or synthetic mono- and poly-crystalline diamond (PCD) for round wire, profiles and tubes of all ductile materials. Its profile also includes technological development and fabrication of special machinery for three Redies production sites and upon customer request, including the production of ultrasound generators and oscillating systems. Mr Kiwus also developed the Mant® PCD brand. Mr Kiessling will lead the team in Aachen, beginning in October. He joined Redies in 2008 during his studies at RWTH Aachen University, so has

More than 400 exhibitors from 30 countries presented their technological highlights at regional trade fairs for the wire, cable and raw industries: wire and Tube Southeast Asia, which took place for the second time together with GIFA Southeast Asia and METEC Southeast Asia at BITEC in Bangkok, Thailand, in September. wire and Tube Southeast Asia are regarded in Thailand as leading regional information and trade platforms for their industries. More than 80 per cent of the 245 exhibiting companies were international. Joint participation from Mr Kiwus has been an entrepreneur in Europe’s wire industry since the 1980s, and founded Ulrich Kiwus Diamanttechnik (diamond technology), a producer of diamond wire dies. Shortly after, he co-founded Leyer & Kiwus Ultraschall- und Lasertechnik (ultrasound and laser technology) with Ralph Leyer, to focus on advancing the technology of the tooling machines needed to produce diamond wire dies. In the early 2000s he became share- holder of Redies Srl in Guissano near Milan, Italy. In order to be closer to wire and cable producers in central Europe, in 2004 he founded a new Redies site in

been part of a significant portion of the growth and structuring of the site. He became a full-time engineer in maintenance, and later head of tech development. Like Mr Kiwus, he comes from an academic background in the field of metallurgy and materials science. Redies Deutschland GmbH www.redies.com Ferdinand Kiessling (left) and Ulrich Kiwus

Metal trade fair quartet together for second time in Thailand

trends at all four trade fairs and to expand their business relationships. The visitors were manufacturers, buyers and suppliers from the wire, cable, tube, foundry and metallurgy industries, as well as from the automotive, oil and gas, construction, energy, building and electrical sectors. From 17 to 19 September 2025, wire and Tube Southeast Asia will again join forces with GIFA and METEC Southeast Asia in Bangkok. Messe Düsseldorf GmbH www.wire-southeastasia.com

Re-launch of award-winning sustainable polymers, compounds and masterbatches

“As a company that participates in many plastic recycling initiatives and sustain able activities, we are keenly focused on our mission of people and our planet being at the centre of our purpose,” said Michael Roberts, chief innovation officer, Teknor Apex. “Building on this heritage Terraloy platform is a critical step on our path to accelerating the implementation of circular solutions in a way that pro motes confidence, transparency, accessi bility and consistency.” Teknor Apex www.teknorapex.com

In 2015, Teknor Apex received two awards for the Terraloy technology: the Innovation in Bioplastics Award from plastics industry trade association SPI; and the Bioproduct Innovation of the Year Award from Ohio State University’s OBIC Bioproducts Innovation Center. The same year, the United Nations created the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to promote a global partnership to improve health and education, reduce inequality and stimulate economic growth – all while addressing climate change and working to preserve the environment.

In response to market demands for sustainable compounds, Teknor Apex is relaunching its Terraloy® brand in a dedicated effort to build a portfolio of products to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing industry. The portfolio will include polymers, additives and fillers covering a wide range of sustainable attributes such as recycled, bio-derived and bio- degradable content. As the portfolio evolves, it will include products with verifiable carbon footprint and LCA data.

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Industry News

MoU to drive green steel development initiatives in Indonesia As part of their partnership, SMS group and PT Gunung Raja Paksi Tbk co-hosted a two-day ‘Focus Group Discussion (FGD)’ event in Jakarta, Indonesia. Under the banner Green Steel in the Digital Age: A Focus Group Exploring Carbon Footprint Reduction , it brought together key stakeholders in the Indonesian steel industry. The event saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between SMS and GRP, symbolising their commitment to advancing sustainable steel industry procedures and processes through digital solutions. Argo Sangkaeng, president director of GRP, said, “We are very enthusiastic about hosting this FGD event with SMS, and we believe that this collaboration will bring positive changes to the Indonesian steel industry. We hope to explore innovative and sustainable solutions that will help reduce the environmental impact of steel production.” Speakers at the event included Tim Kleier, head of green steel at SMS, who shared insights into pioneering decarbonisation strategies and the implications of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for the industry, emphasising the route towards a greener and more sustainable steel sector.

The Focus Group Discussion event with the team from PT Gunung Raja Paksi and SMS group

strategies for quantifying and mitigating carbon emissions in steel production while navigating the complex landscape of carbon taxes. Bernhard Steenken, co-chief sales officer, India and Asia Pacific at SMS group, looked at green technologies aimed at curtailing carbon emissions in steel production. He went on to say, “We are delighted to participate in this Focus Group Discussion together with GRP. We believe that this collaboration will have a significant positive impact on the steel industry in Indonesia. This event provides a valuable opportunity to explore innovative and sustainable solutions that will help reduce the environmental impact of steel production.” SMS group GmbH www.sms-group.com

Lis Soares, head of energy management at SMS, explored

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Industry News

Unison acquires UK wire bending machinery manufacturer

Wire, Cable, Wire Products & Technology

Spring Making Technology & Products

Fastener Technology & Products

Mesh Welding Technology

join the best: 15–19 April 2024 The decision makers are at wire 2024. Meet the world’s market leaders and pioneers from the wire and cable industry. Experience innovations, leading future trends as well as new ways of promoting sustainability: wire.de/ecometals_en

Alan Pickering

Unison Ltd, a UK-based manufacturer of tube and pipe bending machines, has acquired wire and small tube bending machinery maker Pneuform, for an undisclosed sum. Unison states that the acquisition underpins its position as a manufacturer of tube and pipe bending technologies and paves the way for the company to become a key provider of machinery to the international wire bending and coil forming sectors. As a member of the Unison family, Pneuform will benefit from direct access to the advancements that Unison has brought to tube and pipe manipulation. “We have known the team at Pneuform for many years and are hugely impressed by their product range, extensive knowledge of wire-forming technologies, and high levels of customer care,” said Alan Pickering, Unison Ltd’s joint managing director. “In welcoming Pneuform to the Unison family, we look forward to enhancing the business’s existing, excellent machine tool range with our advanced, user friendly control systems and simulation software. With our locations in the north of the UK and in the Midlands, and with Pneuform’s HQ in the south of the country, we also look forward to providing Pneuform’s British customers with even higher levels of service.” The Pneuform name will be retained. Mr Pickering added, “To ensure that Pneuform is able to further develop its position as a leader in wire and small tube bending machines, we have a number of new machine tool technologies in the pipeline. We are convinced these new machines will be of particular interest to organisations producing tubular components for the automotive, EV, electronics, solar energy and refrigeration industries.” Pneuform’s range of wire bending machines includes rotary head models, flat rotary line bending machines and enamelled wire bending machines. Available in two- and three-axis versions, Pneuform machines cater for outside tube diameters ranging from 3 to 11mm in stainless steel, and 3 to 15mm in copper. Unison Ltd www.unisonltd.com

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15.11.23 13:32

Industry News

• Electrolytic plating • Candojet hot water cleaning • Electrolytic & Ultrasonic degreasing • Welding wire cleaning and copper coating • Pickling & phosphating www.candorsweden.com

Customised solutions for compounding and packaging

in the competitive area of polymer compounding and packaging. The company uses advanced chemical processes to create new polymers with improved properties by incorporating functional molecules. Compounders use these as coupling agents in the produc tion of material composites, such as glass fibre reinforced plastics, wood-plastic composites (WPC) or aluminium-polymer bonding. Tosaf Fusion also has expertise in the impact modification of polyamides and tie layers for multilayer films. To increase sustainability, the company has developed compatibilisers that improve the properties of recycled materials and support the effective use of waste materials. Its customer base ranges from compounders to flexible and rigid packaging manufacturers and producers of film. Tosaf Compounds Ltd www.tosaf.com roll RSB 370++/4 will be located as the finishing block after 18 stands in H/V arrangement in a 900,000 t/a SBQ mill. It will produce BIC within a finished size range of Ø 16 to 52mm, with high dimensional tolerance. The scope of supply also includes the remote control for stand and guide adjustments, the equipment for the roll shop, and Kocks software solutions for optimum rolling results. The block will be equipped with the advanced safety cover presented at METEC, including upgraded casing parts. Commissioning of the RSB is scheduled for the end of 2024. Friedrich Kocks GmbH & Co KG www.kocks.de

Tosaf Fusion, a developer and manufac turer of customised solutions for com pounders and packaging producers, is aiming for expansion. The company, founded in 2017 as a subsidiary of Tosaf Compounds Ltd, creates products such as modifiers for PA, compatibilisers for PP and HFFR cable compounds, and tie layers for PE applications in agriculture and packaging. These products comple ment Tosaf Compounds’ portfolio, allow ing the company to produce both mas terbatches and grafted polymers. Owing to steadily increasing demand, Tosaf Fusion is relocating its production to a larger facility in Israel’s Alon Tavor industrial area. The 7,000m 2 operating area, additional production lines and the support of Tosaf’s production capacities, logistics and inventory will create the conditions to further expand the product portfolio, to continuously supply customers, and to ensure product quality. This will enable Tosaf Fusion to continue to provide solutions Chinese steel producer Xingtai Iron & Steel Co and Friedrich Kocks GmbH have signed a contract for the installation of an RSB® 370++/4 reducing and sizing block in 5.0 design, as the centrepiece of a new rolling mill complex for the production of special steels. The order is in line with Xingtai Iron & Steel’s plans to relocate its production facility from Xingtai to the Chengdong Industrial Area, located in Wei County, Hebei Province. With an annual output of three million metric tons, Xingtai Iron & Steel claims to have been the first steel company in China to manufacture bar in coil (BIC).

Wire plating plant

Hot water cleaning

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Three-roll reducing and sizing block for Xingtai Iron & Steel

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In the new rolling mill, the Kocks three

The signing of the contract between Kocks and Xingtai

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Industry News

Third-party tested cables – a crucial role in particle physics

Image sources: Copyright © 2023 CERN

due to commence installation in 2025 and to launch in 2029. The development is expected to use approximately 2,000km of cables. More than 420 different cable products are used across the CERN research facility. Many are bespoke designs, to meet radiation requirements. The cable types used include low voltage, medium voltage, high voltage, multi-core, fibre, single core, low-smoke zero-halogen, telecommunication cables, coaxial cables, control cables and special cables. Safety is crucial to CERN, to protect the people and the infrastructure involved with all research projects throughout the facility. Ensuring that the cable products providing power, communication and data can show high levels of quality helps to support the safety of the applications and to demonstrate compliance and performance. The behaviour of the cables themselves is vital, so CERN can source and implement efficient cabling systems that have been tested to determine mechanical and electrical properties, for example. The goal of gathering as much data as possible and extracting it from the instruments relies on the cables to perform efficiently. Handling the cables is a critical process for CERN, as they must be pulled down approximately 100m in the case of the Large Hadron Collider. Extensive planning is involved with preparing and installing the projects, and a failure with components such as cables can result in a high monetary and time loss. The cost of replacing a substandard cable is greater than procuring high quality cables that will perform safely and efficiently. To determine the performance of the cables chosen for installation, BASEC as a third party testing partner supports CERN by conducting rigorous tests. The assessments measure the properties of the cable, including electrical, chemical, mechanical and material, to ensure that quality is not compromised. Sondre Flateraaker, quality assurance coordinator at CERN, commented, “Safeguarding progress with quality cables supports in powering the forefront of particle physics research at CERN.” often encounters is being able to obtain One challenge that CERN

European organisation CERN operates particle physics research projects using the world’s largest and most complex scientific instruments. Founded in 1954 and based in Geneva on the France Switzerland border, CERN is described as a “unique collaboration of countries, universities and scientists committed to creating and sharing knowledge, to provide insights and scientific advancements and help the society around the world.” Particle physics is CERN’s main area of research, aiming to learn more about the fundamental structure of matter using powerful advanced accelerators and detectors. One such research instrument is HiLumi, the High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC), which is undergoing a significant upgrade. The refurbishment will enable future experiments to gather more extensive data samples and acquire scientific research results. currently undergoing the phase of procuring and testing cable products, with the project This major project is

HiLumi LHC project

ALICE – A Large Ion Collider Experiment

cables that meet specific requirements. The nature of the research that CERN carries out means that the cables must have radiation-resistant compounds. In relation to Construction Products Regulations (CPR), the mixing of fire behaviour compounds with radiation compounds to achieve the desired classification can prove challenging. As a result, cable modifications have been required such as producing larger, thicker cables, which creates a new dilemma with circuit components such as connectors. It is important that the cables undergo rigorous testing to ensure that they would not accelerate flame spread in the event of a fire. CERN’s Specific Safety Instructions (SSI FS-2-1) sets out the fire safety and radiation resistance requirements for cables. For high-risk installations, the fire performance according to the Construction Products Regulations (CPR) should be at least Cca-s2,d1,a2, and for low-risk installations at least Dca s2,d1,a2. When searching for a third-party testing provider, there is a balance of providers that CERN sources from across the member countries. The company’s reputation is critical – particularly that the organisation is knowledgeable and can provide the specific testing capabilities necessary to meet the requirements. Using a third party such as BASEC for cable testing provides independent verification that the cables have been stringently tested to meet the requirements, for transparency and peace of mind. This allows CERN to have confidence that cable is suitable and fit for purpose to install within its projects.

BASEC Group Ltd www.basec.org.uk

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Industry News

Davis-Standard to acquire Extrusion Technology Group Extrusion equipment specialist Davis Standard has reached a definitive agree ment to acquire the Extrusion Technol ogy Group (ETG). The acquisition is sub ject to customary closing conditions. Davis-Standard serves the global infrastructure and packaging end markets with a highly engineered suite of extrusion equipment and converting systems supported by aftermarket spare parts, service and support for its customer base. believe it will allow Davis-Standard to provide a broader and deeper product portfolio to our customers.”

It is intended that the ETG business will be established as a stand-alone segment that will continue to serve its base of customers, with additional support and capabilities from Davis-Standard. Gerold Schley, CEO of ETG, will join the Davis Standard senior leadership team and continue to manage the ETG business after closing of the transaction. Davis-Standard, LLC www.davis-standard.com

With a history dating back to 1943, ETG is well established in the global extrusion equipment and services sector. It supplies extrusion equipment and downstream processing equipment, in addition to extensive tooling, dies, spare parts and service capabilities, for the global pipe, profile, film and sheet markets. Its operations span Europe, the USA and Asia.

Giovanni Spitale, CEO of Davis-Standard, stated, “We have long admired ETG’s capabilities and highly engineered products and are thrilled to welcome ETG into the Davis-Standard family of brands. The acquisition of ETG will be highly complementary and diversifying to our fast-growing enterprise, and we

Compound production expands with new unit in Monterrey

operation of production units in Serbia, Morocco and Portugal. in Monterrey’s industrial zone, will be equipped with the latest technology to enable the production of high-quality polymer compounds. It will significantly increase the company’s production capacity, improve supply chain efficiency, and reduce lead times for customers in the Mexican and American markets. Anselmo Mendes said, “The opening of our new production unit in Monterrey, Mexico, The production unit, located Cabopol sales director

Cabopol Polymer Compounds, a pro ducer of thermoplastic and cross-linked compounds, is expanding its global presence with the opening of a new pro duction unit in Monterrey, Mexico. The new unit is part of a long-term strategy to provide clients with better products and services and to reach new markets. The unit will have an initial configuration of two production lines, with potential for expansion, and the company expects to achieve a production capacity of 25,000 tons per year. As Cabopol’s first production unit on the American continent it paves the way for expansion in this region, and follows the successful

The design of Cabopol’s new unit in Mexico

marks a pivotal moment for Cabopol. We are dedicated to delivering the highest quality polymer compounds, and this expansion allows us to further our commitment to excellence. We are excited to better serve our customers and contribute to the growth of the local economy.” Cabopol Polymer Compounds www.cabopol.com

Orion twice upgraded by environmental reporting groups Orion Engineered Carbons has been upgraded to a ‘B’ score by the non profit organisation CDP, in recognition that the company has addressed the environmental impact of its businesses and ensures good environmental management. said Orion CEO Corning Painter. “Accountability is one of Orion’s core values, so we are committed to reporting openly and transparently about our climate programme – especially the CO 2 emissions reduction measures we have implemented and the success we’ve had protecting the environment and our communities.”

Orion has also received a Gold medal rating from EcoVadis, an independent organisation that assesses companies in a range of sustainability areas. The company improved its score from the previous year to just one point away from receiving a Platinum rating. “The way Orion was able to jump five points in one year and reach the top one per cent of companies shows how the many improvements we have made can add up to a big change,” said Mr Painter. “We are so close to Platinum now and will continue to strive for that goal as we deliver sustainable solutions to our customers.” Orion Engineered Carbons SA https://orioncarbons.com

The UK-based CDP, formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project, operates a global system that enables companies to report their environmental impact. It assesses the information with its own methodology and provides a score. More than 18,700 companies worldwide reported data through CDP in 2022. “Our ‘B’ score is the latest example of the tremendous progress we have made in recent years with sustainability,”

Since 2017, Orion has disclosed its climate-related performance through CDP and until now received a ‘C’ score, indicating an awareness level of engagement. CDP says companies with a ‘B’ score have reached the management level: they “have addressed the environmental impacts of their business and ensure good environmental management.”

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Technology News

Delta Tecnic designs masterbatches with the aim of reducing faults detected by the spark tester

Efficient insulation and accurate spark test results

and the resulting large unwanted particles can cause holes in the insulation. If properly mixed, the masterbatch is fully compounded and melted into the polymeric base. However, in some cases customers may face difficulties in diluting masterbatches, as the cable industry is increasingly working with faster and shorter extruders that make this process more complex. The challenge for the masterbatch manufacturer is to achieve the best dilution possible, which requires an appropriate temperature and mixing process. “At Delta Tecnic we strive to provide solutions that drive the advancement of the cable industry and improve the quality of cables used in various sectors,” said Manuel Miret, area manager and new product developer. “Our focus on the optimal dispersion of pigments and the formulation of our masterbatches to achieve a perfect dilution is essential to guarantee the excellence of manufactured cables and optimal results in the spark test during manufacturing.” Delta Tecnic https://deltatecnic.com

Holes may be caused by poor dispersion of the products used in the insulation mixture. Plastic insulation is made up of two materials: generally, 98 per cent is a polymeric compound either manufactured by the same cable manufacturer or supplied by companies specialised in compound manufacturing, while the remaining two per cent is the colourant provided. Both of these raw materials may contain particles that are poorly dispersed/incorporated into the polymeric mass, resulting in the formation of holes that will cause a failed spark test. A poorly manufactured masterbatch can be one of the causes of these holes, due to the presence of excessively large particles in the polymer. A masterbatch used in the cable industry should achieve the best possible pigment dispersion, which involves breaking the crystalline units that make up the pigments through a mechanical process using extruders, preventing them from remaining inside the masterbatch. Another possible fault relates to dilu- tion. During cable manufacturing, the masterbatch might not be properly diluted in the customer’s compound,

For the power cable industry, and especially in automotive cables, it is necessary to achieve total insulation of the electrical conductor (copper or aluminium, in most cases). The spark test aims to detect holes in the plastic layer covering the cable conductor. Even small holes can cause unwanted effects such as energy leaks and loss of electricity, creating serious problems in an electrical circuit. In the case of Delta Tecnic, 25 per cent of colour masterbatch sales are in the automotive industry – the sector that presents the most difficulty in obtaining satisfactory spark test results due to the use of shorter high-speed dilution machines. Industry requirements have led the company to design and control its masterbatches with the aim of reducing the faults detected by the spark tester. As the conductor cable, with its respective insulation, passes through the spark tester it is subjected to a high-voltage electric field to detect any leaks. If an electrical reaction occurs, the device emits a warning signal. It is crucial to avoid the presence of large unwanted particles in the cable insulation.

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