EoW November 2012

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News
Corporate
November 2012 10
The European cable industry is showing signs of consolidation
according to AMI’s latest report.
AMI’s guide to the cable extrusion industry in Europe provides
detailed information on 325 cable extrusion sites across Europe,
from multinational groups such as Prysmian and Nexans to
smaller new sites looking to make their mark.
This new guide reports a slight drop of around five per cent in
the number of operational cable extrusion sites in Europe since
its last edition in 2008. The total consumption of compounds
also dropped from 1.45 to 1.23 million tonnes over the same
period with Italy and Germany leading the way.
Manufacturers continue to refocus their product range with
plants specialising in the production of specific cables supplied
to certain markets, which are often driven by local demand. In
terms of materials, the report confirms PVC is the dominant
polymer due to its competitive price, technical performance
and ease of processing. Linear grades of PE and low smoke zero
halogen (LSF0H) materials have grown rapidly despite small
volumes.
Whilst the figures suggest the market remains stagnant, cables
continue to be at the forefront of technical innovation in the
plastics sector in terms of formulation and modification of
resin and development of additives. The renewable energy
sector is also showing signs of growth and its demand for cable
applications will offer encouragement to the European cable
industry.
Demand in Poland bucks the European trend, however. Unlike
almost all European nations, Poland has remained relatively
untouched by the economic recession and its cables sector
now accounts for around ten per cent of European polymer
consumption.
The local construction and infrastructure market, buoyed by
the Euro 2012 football championship together with attractive
overheads and labour costs, are the driving forces behind this
upturn.
Applied Market Information – UK
Website:
Cables at the forefront of innovation
Newmanaging director
Sergio A Filippini has been appointed managing director sales
and marketing at Friedrich Kocks GmbH & Co KG in Hilden,
Germany.
The independent, medium-size, family-owned company has
been successful in mill construction worldwide for more than 60
years.
Mr Filippini joined the Kocks Group in January 2001 as president
of Kocks Pittsburgh until now. He succeeds Mr Pascal Rénevier.
Friedrich Kocks GmbH & Co KG – Germany
Website: