A Big Step Forward for the Circular Economy: Nexans Unveils a Cable Made with 100% Recycled Materials
July 23, 2025
Nexans has reached a major milestone in its sustainability journey by developing a prototype cable made entirely from recycled materials — a first in the company’s history. This innovation combines technical performance, industrial feasibility, and a drastically reduced environmental footprint, marking a decisive step forward in circular economy.
A cross-continental success story
The prototype has been conceived thanks to the efforts of worldwide Nexans’s technical teams. The wire drawing was carried out by our Nexans teams in Yanggu, China. The materials department was responsible for extruding the prototype in France and the assembly of the 3G2.5 was then carried out by the Technocenter Building laboratory in AmpaCity, Lyon. The record prototype includes 100% recycled copper, sourced from a trusted partner in China, along with recycled polyethylene and PVC from Nexans’ European suppliers.
The prototype – nicknamed the “record cable” – was compared to a standard cable of the same category made with virgin materials. The analysis covered the entire life cycle from raw material extraction to cable use.
The results:
- A 76% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions during the manufacturing phase
- Significant improvements across other sustainability indicators, including resource depletion and freshwater use.
This innovation demonstrates the technical feasibility of incorporating 100% recycled materials while maintaining the same level of quality and safety as a cable made from virgin materials. “This prototype shows that industrial innovation and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. It’s a major step toward a more sustainable electrification,” says Jérôme Fournier, Corporate Vice President of Innovation.
This innovation supports Nexans ambition to integrate 25% of recycled copper into its cable production by 2028. It’s a bold example of the Group commitment to a circular economy, which plays a central role in its sustainability roadmap. By rethinking the entire cable lifecycle – from materials to manufacturing – Nexans is reducing its carbon footprint and helping preserve natural resources, without compromising quality or safety.
