Prysmian reported that the company has received antitrust clearance in the U.S. for its recently announced deal to buy Encore Wire.

A press release said that completion of the deal remains conditional on approval of Encore Wire’s shareholders “and the fulfillment of other conditions precedent typical for this type of transaction.” In related news, the company said that the acquisition of the McKinney, Texas-based company was going well, and that the result of synergies should be seen at an even quicker pace.

Per published reports, CEO Chief Executive Massimo Battaini told analysts that the outlook or Prysmian’s $4.2 billion acquisition of Encore Wire was quite good. “We started already outlining and discussing with the counterpart the major action to be undertaken the day one after the closing ... to capture the expected $140 million synergies with a faster pace than what we anticipated,” he said.

Begium-based Jan De Nul announced that it plans to add to its cable-laying fleet to serve demands from the transition to renewable energy.

A press release said that the new XL ship will be the fifth vessel in Jan De Nul Group’s cable-laying fleet that has installed 2,500 km of submarine cables in 25 countries over the past decade. It notes that its projects include connecting Crete to mainland Greece, a span of 135 km at depths to 1,000 m, with “to put it mildly, bitterly rough and challenging seabed.”

The company has bookings for installing 2,500 km of cable that led to the order for a new XL cable-laying vessel. “With this second XL cable-laying vessel, we continue to reinforce our pioneering role,” said Jan Van de Velde, director new building, Jan De Nul Group.

Like the Fleeming Jenkin, the vessel will be 215 m long, designed to transport 28,000 tons of cables, the largest capacity cable-laying vessels in the world. The vessels can lay cables in both shallow and ultra-deep waters up to 3,000 meters, handling cable tensions of up to 150 tons.

Both vessels are equipped with Ultra-Low Emission vessel (ULEv) technology, an advanced dual exhaust filter system. This system removes up to 99% of nanoparticles from emissions using a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and a selective catalytic reduction system (SCR) for NOx removal. The ULEv system also significantly reduces exhaust gas pollutants. Thanks to the ULEv system, the vessels comply with the strict European Stage V emission standards for inland waterway vessels.

An April 4 fire that smoldered for days resulted in massive destruction of stored cables in a warehouse that is owned by Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB).

Per a report in the Daily Express—which included a photo of an outside storage area with hundreds of large cable reels, many of which were ablaze— the fire devastated the warehouse and outdoor reels that were stored for distribution across the state. The casualties included 70 newly arrived drums of cables, alongside the existing inventory destined for various regions. A local fire official indicated that of an area of about 3.7 acres “a significant portion of 3 acres suffer(ed) direct damage.”

Estimates pegged the losses at more than $8 million, much of which was for the loss “of more than 1,000 drums of cables.” The damages are significant for SESB as it will require “a prolonged and expensive process of reallocating funds and time to reorder the essential materials.”

The article noted that there were eight types of cables destroyed, most of which were coated cables designed to replace older, bare cables. SESB estimated that some 5,000 km of uncoated cables are in use that should be replaced, while current capacity only allows for 300 km of cables. “Without implementing a comprehensive cable replacement program, it is projected to take approximately 20 years to address the widespread issue of uncoated cables across the state.”

Neelkanth Cable Manufacturing LLC recently inaugurated its new plant in Dubai Industrial City that will make low-voltage, medium-voltage, conductors and instrumentation cables.

A press release said that Neelkanth Cable’s new 500,000 sq-ft plant in the UAE represents “a significant milestone in its journey beyond Africa.” Founded in 2015 and based in Zambia, Neelkanth Cables (headquartered in Zambia) has marketed to industry sectors in the Southern, Central and East African regions, while steadily making inroads into the rest of Africa. At its website, the company notes that it has gained a leading role. “Over the years, we have acquired more than 50% market share in the domestic market for low-voltage and medium-voltage cables.”

The new plant, with a workforce of about 200, has the capacity to produce 13,000 metric tons of copper cable and 7,000 metric tons of aluminum cable. The output will serve sectors such as power transmission and distribution, oil, gas, petroleum, construction, infrastructure, packaging, and specialized industries like fertilizer, cement, steel, chemical, metals and mining,

“We are committed to supporting the local community and the economic ecosystem of the UAE, intending to proudly contribute to Dubai’s growth and development for years to come,” said Neelkanth Cables Manufacturing LLC COO Sanjeev Dubey. “Dubai Industrial City was our first choice for the new facility due to its strategic location close to major transportation hubs facilitating efficient logistics and distribution, its modern infrastructure providing a conducive environment for various industrial activities, and excellent support services including business set-up assistance, licensing, and approvals.”

Belden, a leading global supplier of network infrastructure and digitization solutions, has officially opened the company’s new state-of-the-art Fiber Technology Center (FTC) in Tucson, Arizona.

A press release said that the 300,000-sq-ft facility will serve as a multifunctional hub where Belden’s fiber experts lead optical fiber cable and connectivity innovation, research and development. It will also support warehousing, distribution, administration and manufacturing as the company continues to grow its optical fiber capabilities.

The FTC will amplify the work being done in the company’s existing fiber facilities and test labs around the world, including eight manufacturing plants and two research and development sites. It is located close to airports, freight terminals and logistics hubs as well as to the University of Arizona and the area’s talented tech workforce.

The FTC will streamline and strengthen Belden’s supply chain and increase production of U.S.-based optical fiber manufacturing while connecting qualified engineers to new career opportunities. Advantages include quicker access to products on the West Coast, FiberExpress fiber assemblies made and shipped in two to five business days; same-day shipping on some products; and prototyping capabilities.

“As Belden continues to expand fiber production and innovation to help customers build the future, the Fiber Technology Center will allow us to elevate our work and find new ways to respond to customer demand,” said Jay Wirts, executive vice president of enterprise solutions at Belden. “Belden is becoming synonymous with fiber systems.”