Until now, power cables have been manufactured exclusively on the basis of primary aluminium. Melting and recycling of aluminium scrap requires only a fraction of the energy needed to produce primary aluminium. However, recycled aluminium contains impurities that adversely affect the material’s specific properties. The collaborative project between Nexans and Trimet aimed to coordinate optimized raw material supply and innovative material development. For example, Nexans has refined the sorting of aluminium scrap at its production sites in Europe through “RecyCâbles”, a Nexans-Suez joint venture, while gearing its collection to recycling for electrical cables. Trimet has closed the material cycle with its recycling concept and used the scrap obtained to develop a high-quality alloy that meets a full range of quality requirements for mechanical and electrical performance.

“Our project shows that recycling offers enormous potential to reduce CO2 emissions. I am proud that Nexans can now offer its customers a product that combines superior quality while ensuring a higher level of circular economy. Nexans thus pursues ist strategy to constantly look for new sources of value for its customers” says Vincent Dessale, Chief Operating Officer of Nexans.

“Recycling is an important component of sustainable aluminium production for us. The development of high-quality alloys with the smallest possible carbon footprint makes a significant contribution to this” says Philipp Schlüter, CEO of Trimet Aluminium SE and President of Trimet France SAS.

Nexans plans to maximize the use of aluminium rod with recycled aluminium content in 2023. This enables the global company to meet its customers’ growing demand for products with a favorable eco-balance. For its part, Trimet is expanding its range of recycled products in the aluminium wire sector. In so doing, the materials specialist is building on its commitment to decarbonize production while making a further contribution to the energy transition.

Trimet Aluminium SE
Aluminiumallee 1, 45356 Essen, Germany
Tel.: +49 201 366-0
info@trimet.de
www.trimet.eu

Nexans
4 allée de l’Arche, CS70088
92070 Paris La Défense Cedex, France
Tel.: +33 7 87049658
maellys.leostic@nexans.com
www.nexans.com

About Nexans
For over a century, Nexans has played a crucial role in the electrification of the planet and is committed to electrifying the future. With around 25,000 people in 42 countries, the Group is leading the charge to the new world of electrification: safe, sustainable, renewable, decarbonized and accessible to everyone. In 2021, Nexans generated 6.1 billion euros in standard sales. The Group is a leader in the design and manufacturing of cable systems and services across five main business areas: Energy Generation+Transmission, Distribution, Usages, Industry+Solutions and Telecom+Data. Nexans was the first company in its industry to create a Foundation supporting sustainable initiatives bringing access to energy to disadvantaged communities worldwide. The Group pledged to contribute to carbon neutrality by 2030.