South Korea’s LS Cable & System (LS C&S) reportedly is interested in opening a plant to manufacture optical cables in Turkmenistan.

Per a posted report that cites the online publication SNG.TODAY, representatives held video negotiations with the Turkmenaragatnashyk Agency, which has the authority to conclude contracts. The discussion was about the supply and creation of optical cable production in Turkmenistan. It included discussion of needs from the construction of the “smart” city of Arkadag, fully based on advanced infrared and green technologies.

The parties agreed on further contacts and discussed the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding, as well as organizing a visit of the Turkmen delegation to the LS plant in South Korea.

The report said that the negotiations were attended by representatives of the sales and production departments of optical cables LS C&S, as well as the deputy chairman and head of the infrastructure development group of the Turkmenaragatnashyk Agency. The meeting was held in video conference format. The report notes that a prior online meeting was held in September 2023.

Aurora Material Solutions reports that it recently completed the previously announced expansion of its Streetsboro, Ohio, facility.

A press release said that the expansion further extends Aurora’s capabilities in thermoplastic compounding of rigid PVCs, rigid PVC alloys and CPVC. The expansion adds over 140 million pounds of compounding capacity, creates new jobs, and supports Aurora’s continued growth with customer partners. It produces the AuroraGuard™ lines of thermoplastic polyolefins that provide high-heat, low-smoke zero-halogen and flame-retardant properties and its AuroraFlex™ line of flexible PVC compounds.

In March, Aurora Plastics became Aurora Material Solutions. With the new name, Aurora also embraced its first brand statement in its 27-year history: “People. Partners. Possibilities.”

Alphagary, a division of Orbia’s Polymer Solutions, will now market the ESCONTEL semi-conductive compound product lines from India’s Shakun Polymers Private Limited (Shakun) in North America as well as provide funding to expand its capacity and optimize its processes.

A press release said that Shakun became part of the Orbia family in May 2021, and its products continued to be sold in India and other countries. Now, Alphagary will market them in the Americas. The plan for product expansion will enable Shakun to grow its capacity from 35,000 TPA to almost 100,000 TPA. None of Shakun compounds will be made in the U.S., and while the plan is for the Shakun to be sent to North America, ESCONTEK is available to ship to Central America if requested.

A direct complement to Alphagary’s specialty product offerings that support a connected world, Shakun’s product development focus is on halogen-free, flame-retardant compounds and PVC-based compounds for data and power cables. Its semi-conductive and cross-linkable compounds expand Alphagary’s portfolio, offer a growth platform and meet customer requirements.

ESCONTEK compounds meet several industry standard requirements (when processed using sound material handling, extrusion, and cross-linking practices) including UL 1072, ANSI/ICEA, AEIC, IEC, BS, and others.

AZ Wire & Cable announced the acquisition of Gen-Pro, a provider of generator-related products such as generator installation cable.

A press release said that the strategic acquisition further enhances AZ Wire & Cable’s position as a one-stop solution for electrical distribution needs. The acquisition of Gen-Pro, based in Gig Harbor, Washington, will allow AZ Wire & Cable to expand its product offerings to include brands such as TCERDirect™ cable and accessories, SmoothStarter™ soft starters, and X-Riser™ gas risers.

NKT reports that construction has started on the company’s cable extrusion tower in Karlskrona, Sweden, for what it said will be the world’s largest factory for high-voltage offshore power cables.

A July 31st press release said that the slipform casting of concrete had started for the site’s third extrusion tower, which will become the second tallest tower in Sweden. Over the coming months, a truck per hour will supply concrete to the tower, ensuring its rapid ascent to 200 meters to stand as a landmark of NKT’s ongoing investments in production capacity and capabilities. “The beginning of the slip forming is a major milestone in the expansion of the factory in Karlskrona,” said Darren Fennell, executive vice president and head of HV Solutions Karlskrona in NKT. “The ongoing investments ... prepares us for the positive development we expect in the high-voltage power cable market.”

The extrusion tower is crucial in adding insulation to the high-voltage power cables produced at the Swedish facility. The construction of the tower is part of a larger investment program in NKT’s high-voltage power cable business, which also includes a second cable-laying vessel, set to be operational from 2027 alongside the factory expansion. As part of this growth, NKT plans to recruit over 500 new employees by 2027 and is on track with the hiring process in Karlskrona.