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LS Marine Solution wins first overseas submarine power cable contract in Taiwan

LS Cable & System Ltd., South Korea’s largest cable manufacturer, announced that its subsidiary, LS Marine Solution Co. (LS Marine), has won a US$15.8 million contract to install submarine power cables for Taiwan Power Company’s (TPC) offshore wind power plant.

A press release said that LS Marine Solution will install the submarine cables for the TPC Offshore Wind Power Complex 2, a 294.5 MW project, by May 2026. The order represents the first overseas submarine power cable deal for LS Marine.

LS Marine Solution was established in 1995 as South Korea’s first dedicated submarine cable construction company. Formerly known as KT Submarine, it was acquired and rebranded by LS Cable & System in 2023.

LS Cable & System has previously supplied ultra-high-voltage submarine cables for Taiwan’s first phase offshore wind projects—including the one cited above—and the new contract is expected to create synergies between cable manufacturing and installation. The current project is part of the Taiwanese government’s long-term plan to develop 20.6 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2035.

“Based on our technology and experience accumulated as the first-generation submarine cable construction company in Korea, we have successfully taken our first step into the overseas power grid market,” said LS Marine Solution CEO Kim Byung-ok. “We will further expand our entry into the global market with this Taiwan project.”

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2 South Korean members of conglomerates sign MoU to further specific cooperation

The LS Group and LIG Group—both part of South Korea’s influential Pan-LG family of conglomerates— have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation across defense, energy, and advanced technology sectors.

A press release said that the agreement, announced March 31, follows a high-profile gathering of Pan-LG leaders at GS Group’s 20th anniversary, underscoring a renewed spirit of unity among the country’s leading business families.

Under the MoU, LS and LIG will collaborate on joint R&D, market analysis, technology and personnel exchanges, and may establish joint ventures to leverage each group’s core strengths. The LS Group, known for its focus on electrics, materials and energy, will bring expertise from subsidiaries such as LS Cable & System and LS Mtron. The LIG Group, whose portfolio includes defense equipment and IT services, is expected to integrate LS’s material and cable technologies into its flagship defense unit, LIG Nex1, which specializes in advanced weapon and command systems.

A joint consultative body will be formed to define detailed cooperation plans and set an execution timeline. The partnership is widely viewed as a strategic move, especially as LS Group faces heightened competition and legal disputes in the cable sector. Recently, Hoban Group, parent of rival Taihan Cable & Solution, acquired a 3% stake in LS Corp., fueling speculation about its intentions amid an ongoing patent and technology theft dispute between Taihan and LS Cable & System.

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Landmark electric grid project deploying cable from Nexans remains in gridlock

More than a year after an expected production order, the Great Sea Interconnector—a project to link the electricity grids of Greece, Cyprus, and Israel—has seen little progress as it deals with unresolved financial arrangements and deposit guarantees, casting uncertainty over its future viability.

A recent article in Vima, a Greek newspaper, spelled out the problems encountered by the project that trace back to mid-2023 when the original developer sought a financing increase to €1.9 billion from Greek and Cypriot regulators due to cost overruns. Although a long-delayed contract with French cable manufacturer Nexans was signed for the Crete-Cyprus segment, EuroAsia Interconnector soon declared it could not make the required advance payment, further jeopardizing progress.

To prevent collapse, the Greek and Cypriot governments intervened, asking Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO) to assume responsibility for the project. The European Commission endorsed this move, expressing confidence in IPTO’s ability to deliver. By October 2023, IPTO was officially in charge, and the project-renamed the Great Sea Interconnector-finally entered the implementation phase after thirteen years of planning.

Despite this momentum, significant challenges persisted through 2024. Construction of the first phase began in December 2023, with Nexans instructed to secure production slots and initiate procedures. However, in July 2024, the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority issued a ruling that upended the project’s financial framework by rejecting recognition of a reasonable return, revenue, or cost recovery during construction. This decision severely undermined the project’s economic viability.

Compounding the situation, the Cypriot government did not fulfill its commitment to acquire a stake in the project, despite earlier assurances that a decision would be made by January 2024. After months of negotiations, Greece and Cyprus signed a bilateral

agreement in September 2024 to accelerate the project, overturning the July regulatory decisions and providing a more sustainable foundation for development.

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NTT unit launches new cable-laying vessel to serve strong regional power demands

Japan’s NTT World Engineering Marine Corp. (NTT WE Marine), the submarine cable laying subsidiary of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (NTT), has launched a new CLV that is registered under the Philippine flag and operated primarily by Filipino crew members.

A press release said that NTT WE Marine, marking its 25th year in the Philippines, launched the CS VEGA II, a state-of-the-art cable-laying vessel. NTT notes that it is the only cable provider that has a fully equipped, Philippine-flagged cable-laying vessel.

The new CLV, is primarily intended to be operated for the maintenance of domestic submarine telecommunications cables within the Philippines, as well as international submarine telecommunications cables in nearby waters. It joins a fleet that includes four other CVLs: Vega, Orion, Subaru and Kizuna. The vessels are used for a range of tasks including submarine cable installation, maintenance, ocean investigation, construction, repair work and marine surveys.

NTT WE Marine is a key participant in the Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN), a 2,500-km initiative led by Eastern Communications, Globe Telecom and InfiniVAN, aimed at improving connectivity in underserved regions. It also will be a maintenance supplier for PDSCN, which was said to be in its final project stages. The

network’s subsea (wet) segments were finished as scheduled in 2023, and about 90% of its 33 planned cable landing stations have been constructed. The remaining landing stations and some inland facility connections are expected to be completed within this year.

NTT WE Marine President & CEO Mamoru Watanabe said that the Philippines project has a pivotal telecom role. He also cited global security concerns and the need for stable communications infrastructure as key drivers for the expansion. “Economic development’s foundation is communication. There’s a lot of opportunity in the Philippines, especially now that global security is unstable,” he said.

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India’s 2nd largest cement manufacturer plans to enter the wire and cable industry

Earlier this year, Adani Group, one of India’s largest and fastest-growing cement manufacturers, announced plans to enter the wires and cables industry through a newly formed joint venture.

On March 19, 2025, Adani Enterprises, via its wholly owned subsidiary Kutch Copper Limited, finalized the incorporation of Praneetha Ecocables Limited in partnership with Praneetha Ventures Private Limited. The joint venture will focus on the manufacturing,

marketing, and distribution of metal products, cables and wires, marking a significant diversification for the conglomerate.

A company statement said that the initiative is part of Adani’s broader strategy to strengthen its presence across the infrastructure and construction value chain. By leveraging the group’s extensive experience in large-scale manufacturing and its ongoing investment in India’s largest greenfield copper refinery in Gujarat, Adani aims to secure reliable raw material supply and competitive pricing for its cable business. The company expects this vertical integration to provide a unique advantage as it enters a market that has seen a compound annual growth rate of over 13% in recent years.

The new venture will target key sectors such as residential, commercial, infrastructure and industrial applications, reflecting the rising demand for high-quality cables and wires driven by India’s urbanization, smart city projects, and renewable energy expansion.

Adani Group’s leadership emphasized that this entry aligns with its long-term vision to be a leading provider of integrated solutions for India’s rapidly growing construction and infrastructure sectors. The company’s board has approved the plan, signaling its intention to diversify its portfolio and capitalize on synergies with its existing copper and infrastructure businesses.

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M Huber reports that it has acquired key material assets from RJ Marshall

M. Huber Corporation announced that it has acquired the alumina trihydrate (ATH), antimony-free flame retardant and molybdate-based smoke suppressant assets of The R.J. Marshall Company.

A press release said that the deal will see the acquired assets incorporated into the Huber Advanced Materials (HAM) strategic business unit of Huber Engineered Materials, an operating company of J.M. Huber Corporation. These assets will enhance HAM’s product portfolio and strengthen its position as a leader in the North American market of flame retardant and smoke suppressant technologies.

The acquisition includes R.J. Marshall’s alumina trihydrate and Marshall additive technologies product lines (excluding those containing antimony trioxide). HAM will integrate these products into its existing portfolio, providing customers with a seamless transition and continued access to the materials they rely on. “This acquisition underlines HAM’s strategic commitment to grow our halogen-free fire retardant and smoke suppressant portfolio and expand our product offering for our customers,” said HAM Global Vice President Sales & Marketing Martin Schulting.

HAM, known for its focus on sustainability and innovation in specialty additives, continues to invest in expanding its environmentally responsible product range. The company has recently achieved significant milestones in life cycle analysis and is recognized for advancing halogen-free solutions for industrial applications.

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Last modified on June 3, 2025

India’s largest cement manufacturer plans to enter the wire and cable industry

Earlier this year, UltraTech Cement, a significant India cement manufacturer, announced that it plans to venture into the wire and cable industry with an investment of approximately $216 million over the next two years.

A press release said that the decision, announced at the company’s Feb. 22 board meeting, calls for the initiative to begin production by December 2026 at a manufacturing facility set to be established in Bharuch, Gujarat. “UltraTech proposes to leverage its extensive manufacturing expertise coupled with its connection with the end-customers to deliver high-quality wires and cables thereby targeting a higher share of the customer’s wallet.”

The company will focus on making wire and cable for sectors such as residential, commercial, infrastructure and industrial applications. Per the release, India’s wire and cable industry has seen CAGR revenue of 13% from 2019 to 2022. “With the migration from the unorganized to the organized market, the outlook continues to remain robust which provides an attractive opportunity for a new trusted player in the sector.”

Company Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla said that the plan will expand the company’s presence within the construction value chain. The foray into wire and cable “aligns with our vision of providing comprehensive solutions to our end customers in the construction sector.” He emphasized that this move supports UltraTech’s long-term growth strategy and market leadership ambitions.

UltraTech’s board has approved the plan, signaling the company’s intention to diversify its portfolio and strengthen its position as a leading provider of building solutions. The company will leverage its expertise in manufacturing and its strong customer connections to deliver high-quality wires and cables.

Per its website, UltraTech Cement Limited is the cement flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group. It is the largest manufacturer of grey cement and ready-mix concrete (RMC) and one of the largest manufacturers of white cement in India. It is the only cement company globally (outside of China) to have 175+ MTPA of cement manufacturing capacity in a single country. It operates in 40+ countries across six continents, and more than half its revenues come from operations outside India.

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R&L Spring opens its 3rd plant

R&L Spring Company™, a manufacturer of springs, coils and wire forms, has opened its third facility in Wisconsin, this one in Elkhorn, that adds 50,000 q ft of capacity.

“R&L Spring has continued to expand and grow our business, and the opening of this 3rd facility allows us to support our growth in both the short term, as well as set the stage for planned growth initiatives over the coming years,” company President Julie Arenz said in a press release.

R&L Spring has two manufacturing facilities in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, with 220,000 sq ft of capacity that also supports its Medicoil™ division that began serving the medical device market in 1992. It was formed to address the unique requirements of the medical device market and evolved into a leader in manufacturing micro-precision coil and wired formed products for the medical device industry.

The family owned and operated company has 53 years of precision, winding, coiling and wire forming experience. R&L Spring Company custom manufactures springs, coils, and wire forms for a wide range of OEM’s in powersports, automotive, medical device, as well as other general industries markets.

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China’s FiberHome has opened an optical fiber cable plant in Hungary

FiberHome Telecommunication Technologies Co., Ltd. (FiberHome), a Chinese provider of networking and telecommunication equipment, has opened a plant in Kisbér, Hungary.

Per multiple media reports—from Xinhua and Evertiq, an electronic news service—the optical cable base that is called ZettaNet represents “a new milestone in Chinese-Hungarian economic cooperation.” The investment was estimated at 20 million euros, with 15% of the funding provided by the Hungarian state.

FiberHome had previously served European customers via a distributor, but now the company “is stepping up its direct manufacturing base.” The Kisbér facility, which will have about 120 employees, will produce optical cables for local customers such as Magyar Telekom and MVM. The reports noted that FiberHome has industrial bases in Wuhan, Northeast China, East China, Southwest China, Northwest China, South America, South Asia, and North Africa, and dozens of wholly-owned, holding and equity participation subsidiaries, and now the optical cable base in Hungary.

“This newly established ZettaNet cable manufacturing base is our first industrial entity invested in and constructed in Europe,” said FiberHome Board Chairman Zeng Jun. The Hungarian facility will leverage FiberHome’s expertise in the fiber optic cable industry to establish a high-end optical communication manufacturing hub in Europe. The site will integrate production, technological research and development, and logistics delivery to serve the broader European market, he said.

The Chinese Ambassador to Hungary, Gong Tao, observed that the project was completed and put into operation in less than a year. That achievement “not only demonstrated the efficiency and strength of Chinese companies but also reflects the mutual trust, cooperation and shared vision between China and Hungary.”

Per Schoenherr, an Austrian law firm that advised Chengdu Datang Communication Cable Co. (a member of the FiberHome Group), said the 25,000-sqm industrial site in Kisbér had been owned by the Hungarian subsidiary of Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems Limited, the European company of the Japanese Sumitomo Group. FiberHome, which is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, was said to hold some 4,000 patents.

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Nexans wins contract to supply the 2nd Malta-Sicily Power Interconnector

Nexans has secured a major contract from Interconnect Malta (ICM) to deliver the second Malta-Sicily interconnector, a high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) subsea link designed to reinforce Malta’s electricity system.

A press release said that the subsea cable, to be made at the company’s U.S. plant in Charleston, South Carolina, will run between Maghtab, Malta, and Ragusa, Sicily. The length was not cited, but a report at independent.com said it would be about 99 km long and the project is valued at approximately €300 million. The cable will be installed in parallel with the existing interconnector that Nexans supplied in 2015.

“Delivering this second interconnector strengthens the energy link between Malta and Sicily, ensuring long-term stability for the country’s electricity supply,” said Nexans’ EVP Power Transmission Business Group, Pascal Radue. “Building on our longstanding partnership with Interconnect Malta, this project also plays a key role in supporting the country’s transition toward a climate-neutral economy and enabling further investment in renewable energy.”

In other news, Nexans reported that the company is expanding its low-carbon product range this year. The low-voltage cables from its plant in Jeumont (northern France) will have 10% recycled aluminum content and contribute to reducing Nexans’ and its customers’ carbon footprints. They will be made exclusively with low-carbon aluminum produced using a decarbonized energy mix, and 10% of the aluminum in them will be recycled. All the cables from Jeumont for low-voltage markets will include this new feature.

“The goal for Nexans today is to source enough recycled aluminum to meet the market’s needs,” said Nexans Sustainable Offer Marketing Director Laure Desseigne. “That’s why we are asking our customers to route their cables towards streams that effectively ensure circularity, i.e. turn used cables into new, recycled cables.” In 2024, the Nexans Group announced a new €15 million investment plan to modernize its plant in Bourgen-Bresse, France, to produce eco-friendlier medium-voltage cables.

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Sikora AG acquired by Swiss MAAG Group

Germany’s SIKORA AG, a manufacturer of innovative measuring, control and sorting technologies for industries that include wire and cable, was acquired by Swiss MAAG

Group, a leading international group of companies for integrated solutions in polymer processing and part of the Dover Corporation.

A press release said that, with the news, “SIKORA gains a strong strategic partner for the future.” Founded in 1973 by Harald Sikora, SIKORA continuously developed, opened up new markets and has grown steadily. The company now has some 450 employees in Bremen and its 13 international subsidiaries, from which it offers innovative solutions and customized customer service.

“With the MAAG Group, we have found our ideal partner for the future,” said Harald Sikora, who added that he is confident that the company is in capable hands: “SIKORA and MAAG are connected by more than just a strategic goal: we share core values - innovative strength, entrepreneurial spirit, sustainable thinking and the clear pursuit of long-term success. We are therefore convinced that in the MAAG Group we have found the right partner for further growth and to continue our success story together.”

MAAG Group President Ueli Thuerig said that SIKORA’s products “address similar customer needs in resin-related markets to ours, and its offerings provide MAAG with increased exposure to highly attractive market adjacencies where we have existing industry knowledge and customer relationships.” He predicted that synergies “will generate material cross-selling benefit with a highly complementary portfolio of products and technologies, deepening our joint value proposition and integration with our OEM partners and end customers.”

The release said that SIKORA’s expertise in measuring and control technology ideally complements the MAAG Group’s portfolio in the areas of pump, filtration and pelletizing systems. The regional proximity also offers advantages: Both companies are represented with strong locations in the DACH region and are broadly positioned internationally. This results in valuable, shared strengths and the opportunity to provide customers with even more comprehensive support and offer new solutions.

Harald Sikora will remain in an advisory capacity and the partners will rely on continuity with regard to the operational management at SIKORA. The long-standing Management Board of SIKORA AG will continue to be responsible for the company’s growth story in the future.

Dr. Christian Frank, CEO of SIKORA, adds, “The partnership with the MAAG Group is a strong sign for our future: for SIKORA, for the Bremen location, and for our global team. “We have achieved great things over the past decades,” said SIKORA CEO Dr. Christian Frank. “Now a new chapter is beginning in which we can contribute our strengths and

continue to grow with MAAG. For our employees, this transaction means security, new perspectives, and the opportunity to continue our success story together.”

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SubCom chosen as the cable supplier for system to be located in the Arctic Circle

Space Norway and SubCom have a deal to build and deploy the Arctic Way Cable System, a high-capacity subsea network that will connect mainland Norway to two of its territories—Jan Mayen and Svalbard—that are located quite far apart.

A press release said that the 2,350 km trunk-and-branch system will be the world’s northernmost repeatered subsea cable, running entirely within the Arctic Circle between 67°N and 78°N. The system is scheduled to be ready for service by Q2 2028 and will provide critical route diversity for the region’s growing data demands, while ensuring continued connectivity for remote Arctic communities.

SubCom will manufacture the cable and supporting infrastructure at its facility in Newington, New Hampshire, and will handle installation via one of its polar-certified Reliance Class vessels. The system will feature direct landings in Bodø (mainland Norway), Jan Mayen, and Longyearbyen (Svalbard), supplementing and eventually succeeding the existing Svalbard cable system, which is expected to remain in service beyond its original 25-year design life. The Arctic Way project underscores the strategic importance of high-latitude digital infrastructure as data traffic in the Arctic continues to grow.

Space Norway’s goal is to deliver uninterrupted Arctic connectivity as existing cables near end-of-life by 2028+.The system addresses growing regional data demands from commercial, government, and scientific stakeholders.

Arctic Way builds on SubCom’s previous work deploying the original Svalbard cable system, which remains the sole telecommunications link between Svalbard and mainland Norway. That system consists of two separate optical fiber cables, each with eight fiber pairs, running from Harstad to Breivika in Andøy Municipality, and from Breivika to Hotellneset near Longyearbyen, Svalbard. The main undersea segments from Breivika to Hotellneset are 1,375 and 1,339 km long, respectively. Each cable includes 20 optical repeaters and is capable of a speed of 10 Gbit/s, with a future upgrade potential of up to 2,500 Gbit/s.

“Establishing the new Arctic Way cable system is imperative to ensure that data connectivity for the Arctic community is effective and uninterrupted for decades to come,” said Morten Tengs, CEO of Space Norway.

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