NKT announced that it has signed a supplier agreement with Dogger Bank Wind Farms Creyke Beck A and Creyke Beck B site to delivery and install high-voltage DC on- and offshore export cable systems.

A press release said that the order calls for NKT to provide 4×175 km of 320 kV DC offshore export power cables, and approximately 4×32 km of 320 kV DC onshore export power cables. Production of the power cable will start at the end of this year at its plant in Karlskrona, Sweden. The contract was valued at approximately 360 million euros. The agreement “will contribute positively to the medium voltage cables market trends owing to its supply of green energy to approximately 3 million households in the U.K.”

“I am excited that our long-term customers of Equinor and SSE have selected NKT as turnkey provider of the cable systems for the Dogger Bank Wind Farms Creyke Beck A/B and recognize us as a high-voltage DC technology partner in the market,” said NKT President and CEO Alexander Kara. “I am pleased to observe the continued European focus on increasing the use of renewable energy sources, which is a trend from which NKT sees good growth opportunities.”

The company also reports that it has qualified its 525 kV high-voltage DC power cable for the German corridor projects, which it notes represents “a milestone in the European green energy transformation.”

A press release said that certification of the company’s XLPE underground power cable enables it to be used for coming high-voltage DC corridor projects in Germany. These projects constitute a vital step in the country’s transition of its energy supply to come from renewable sources, a strategy called “Energiewende,” Germany’s long-term strategy for switching to renewable energies by 2050. That initiative will require long-distance power transmission lines to transport renewable energy.

The certification process was not a quick one. The cable underwent more than a year of testing by an external power cable test institute. The resulting certification adds to the Cigre qualification earned in 2014 when NKT first launched the world’s first 525 kV XLPE power cable.
The cable, which keeps transmission losses low, will be manufactured at NKT’s high-voltage plants in Germany and Sweden, solely using “green” electricity. The local presence “will also ensure short transportation distances to the HVDC corridors and thereby minimize the total carbon footprint.”

BizLink Holding announced that it will acquire Singapore’s Speedy Industrial Supplies Pte., Ltd., for approximately US$47 million, a deal that will bolster its production and sales force in Southeast Asia.

A press release said that BizLink’s board of directors had approved the buyout bid, and both parties were expected to have closed the deal by the end of February. Speedy’s product lines include wire harnesses and cables, PCBs and other electronics components for industrial and medical applications. It has assembly lines in Singapore and Malaysia to serve clients mostly in Europe and the U.S.

“The acquisition is expected to help BizLink expand its customer bases in the medical field and expand its product portfolios for industrial applications, while better extending its business tentacles worldwide,” the release said.

Per the website of BizLink, the company, based in the U.S. in Silicon Valley, has manufacturing bases in the U.S., Mexico, Slovakia, Serbia, Malaysia and China, the latter of which represents 65% of its production capacity. The company had relocated part of production to Southeast Asia and Mexico among other places in the wake of the U.S.-China trade dispute

BizLink was founded in 1996, and was listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) in 2011. Of note, it was named to Newsweek’s 2020 list of America’s Most Responsible Companies, and Deloitte’s “2019 Asia Pacific Technology Fast 500.”

MAGNIFIN Magnesiaprodukte GmbH & Co KG (MAGNIFIN), a 50-50 joint venture, is one step closer to finalizing the location of a second facility to expand its production of magnesium hydroxides

A press release said that the MAGNIFIN board has approved the preparatory work for what will be the JV’s second such plant. MAGNIFIN is a joint venture between Martinswerk GmbH, part of the Fire Retardant Additives (FRA) business of the Huber Engineered Materials (HEM) division of J.M. Huber Corporation (Huber) and Veitscher Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH, part of the group of companies of RHI Magnesita N.V. (RHIM).

“This planned significant investment is driven to meet growing global demand and support the growth of its customers for high-purity, halogen-free magnesium hydroxide fire retardants,” the release said. The new plant would manufacture the same product portfolio being made at Breitenau, Austria. This expansion project would further enhance the company’s ability to deliver premium magnesium hydroxides (MAGNIFIN®) and would provide additional supply chain flexibility for its customers.

MAGNIFIN coated and uncoated magnesium hydroxides are environment friendly, non-halogenated flame retardants used in a wide range of polymer applications, especially thermoplastic materials and elastomers requiring high processing temperatures in excess of 200°C.
A spokesman said that the location is expected to be in Europe, likely the eastern part of Europe, and will serve the European and Eastern Asian markets. The new plant will take approximately three years to build. Modular steps will be taken in regards to capacity, but it’s ultimately expected to double current capacity.

Acciaierie di Calvisano (Feralpi) announced that it is waiting final approval of the proposal it made to its 50-50 partner in the Caleotto wire rod mill.

A published report said that its partner, Duferco Italia Holding, has agreed to sell its ownership in the rod mill in northern Italy. Caleotto supplies special wire rod to a number of markets, including the automotive sector

Southwire plans to close operations at its plant in Hayesville, North Carolina, effective March 31.

Per a report in the Clay County Progress, the plant, acquired by Southwire in 2014, employs some 45 employees. Production there will be moved to other Southwire plants. “This decision is not a reflection on the people, the quality or the performance of the facility, nor is it one we take lightly,” said Rich Stinson, Southwire’s president and CEO. “As we look at our long-term strategy, we must ensure we are properly aligned to make the best use of our facilities and best meet the needs of our customers.”