Why talk about ecological issues in the cable sector ?
Environmental challenges specific to electric cables
The electrical industry plays an essential role in global economic development, But it is also faced with growing environmental issues. Cables, components essential to the transmission of energy, are produced in very large quantities each year. Their manufacture implies the massive use of natural resources such as copper, aluminum and various types of plastics. The management of their end of life - often not recycled or poorly treated - also generates non -biodegradable waste and the risks of pollution.
These challenges are specific to the electrical cable sector, Because their very nature (technical products, bulky, highly metal content) makes them both essential ... and pollutants if they are not designed in a logic of eco-design.
Consumption of raw materials and carbon footprints
Copper and aluminum, two of the main materials used in cables, require particularly energy -consuming mining. This strongly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. What's more, Manufacturing and insulation processes (especially based on PVC or PE) still largely depend on petrochemical products.
Result : The carbon footprint of the cable industry is significant, and each kilometer of produced cable leaves an environmental trace. Adopt recycled materials, Reduce plastic consumption, and improve energy efficiency are so many levers to reverse the trend.
A global transition to a more sustainable model
Faced with the climate crisis and the exhaustion of natural resources, many governments, companies and consumers are moving towards more sustainable solutions. The electrical industry is no exception to this transformation. A Europe, Regulations such as Rohs and Reach already impose strict limits on the use of dangerous substances. In Africa, in Canada and Asia, Large infrastructure projects are increasingly incorporating environmental criteria in their tenders.
Ecological cables - made from recyclable materials, With an extended lifespan and a lower environmental impact - are called upon to play a major role in this transition.
What is a recyclable cable ?
Definition and principle
A recyclable cable is an electric cable designed so that its components can be recovered, sorted and reused at the end of life. Unlike conventional cables, It is made with recyclable or easily separable materials. This limits the environmental impact of waste production and treatment.
The principle is based on a circular economy approach. Instead of throwing the used cables, We value their materials to give them a second life. This process concerns both conductive metals and plastic sheaths and insulation.
Commonly recyclable materials : copper, aluminium, PVC, etc.
Copper is one of the most precious and recycled materials in the cable field. Its conductivity remains excellent, Even after several recycling cycles. It is therefore commonly recovered in the old electric cables.
L’aluminium, increasingly used to lighten the installations, is also very recyclable. Its primary extraction is energy -consuming, But recycling reduces this consumption up to 95%.
Plastics, like PVC (polyvinyl chloride) I'm not or (polyethylene), can also be recycled. However, their treatment is more complex than that of metals. Some types of modern sheaths, Like halogen -free materials (LSZH) or thermoplastic, facilitate this recycling thanks to a more stable composition.
Differences between conventional cables and recyclable cables
Classic cables are often made without consideration for their end of life. The materials are mixed there, sometimes glued or merged, which makes their separation difficult during recycling. What's more, Some insulators contain toxic additives that complicate treatment.
Conversely, recyclable cables are designed with separatulation and non-toxicity criteria. They use components that are easy to identify and dismantle. They can also be produced from already recycled materials, Creating a virtuous loop.
So, adopt recyclable cables, It is taking a step towards a more sustainable electrical industry, without compromise on technical performance.
Ecological materials used in cables
Halogen -free sheaths (LSZH)
Halogen -free sheaths, Often called LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen), have become a benchmark in facilities concerned with the environment. Unlike traditional PVC, They do not give off toxic fumes or corrosive gas in the event of a fire. It is a safer choice for people and for the environment.
In addition to their fireproof properties, These materials are easier to recycle. They do not contain halogenated compounds like chlorine or fluorine, which reduces the risk of pollution during waste treatment.
Recyclable thermoplastic plastics
Some modern cables use thermoplastic plastics, like polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP), which can be melted and reformed without significant loss of quality. Unlike thermosetlable plastics, These materials do not degrade chemically when recycling.
This greatly facilitates their integration into circular production loops. What's more, Some manufacturers today offer sheaths made from plastics already recycled, which further reduces the global carbon footprint.
Biosourced materials : Innovation and potential
A recent innovation in the cable industry is the use of bio -based materials. These are plastics derived from renewable raw materials such as corn starch, vegetable oils or cellulose. These materials reduce dependence on petrochemical products.
Although their use is still limited to certain specific applications, Their potential is promising. They could ultimately replace certain synthetic components while retaining comparable technical performance.
How are the cables recycled ?
Recycling of electric cables is a complex but essential process to limit the environmental impact of the industry. It allows you to recover precious raw materials and reduce industrial waste. The process is divided into several successive stages, each playing a crucial role in the valuation chain.
a) Used cable collection and sorting
The process begins with the collection of cables at the end of life. These come from various sectors : demolition, obsolete electrical networks, industrial waste or out of service equipment.
Once collected, cables are sorted manually or mechanically according to several criteria :
- The type of driver (copper, aluminium),
- The nature of the sheath (PVC, LSZH, PE…),
- The diameter and structure of the cable (single conductor, multiconductor, shielded…).
This preliminary sorting is fundamental to adapting the following steps to the materials treated.
b) Mechanical preparation and cutting
The cables are then chopped or cut using industrial machines, like crushers or aggregates. This step aims to reduce the size of the fragments to facilitate the separation of the components.
It is essential that cutting is fine enough to effectively disinsolate the plastic sheaths of the metal driver, while avoiding to grind the elements too much at the risk of making them more difficult to sort.
c) Material separation : Metals and insulation
Separation is the most technical step in recycling. It can be done according to several methods :
- Magnetic separation : used to remove ferromagnetic components as steel (Present in armored cables).
- Density separation : Fragments are immersed in liquid baths (often based on water and additives), making it possible to float the plastics and to flow the metals (copper, aluminium).
- Sorting by induction or Foucault current : technology used to separate copper from direct contactless aluminum, via electromagnetic fields.
- Optical sorting (increasingly current) : High speed camera identifies the different materials according to their spectral signature and activates air jets to separate them in real time.
Each technique is chosen according to the type of cable, purity of the materials sought and the available equipment.
d) Refining and purification of metals
Once separated, copper and aluminum are sent to refinery. They are melted, purified and transformed into bruises or drivers wires ready to be reused in the manufacture of new cables or other metal products.
Recycled copper can reach purity over 99.9%, which allows it to be reused without loss of performance. The same goes for aluminum, which retains its mechanical and electrical properties after redesign.
e) Treatment of plastics and insulation
Plastics from sheaths (PVC, PE, LSZH) are more delicate to treat. They undergo cleaning, A complementary sorting, then extrusion to be transformed into pellets. These pellets can then be reused in industrial applications : new sheaths, piping, building materials, etc.
Some contaminated or too degraded plastics cannot be recycled mechanically. In this case, they are valued by other ways :
- Energy valuation (incineration with heat recovery),
- chemical recycling (During development for certain complex resins).
f) Environmental residue management and safety
All non -valued components must be treated according to strict standards. This includes :
- metal or plastic dust,
- The ducts containing dangerous additives (phthalates, halogenated flame delayers),
- contaminated components.
Approved recycling centers apply containment procedures, chemical neutralization or controlled elimination, in accordance with European standards (ex : ISO 14001, RoHS, REACH).
Résumé : a controlled but demanding technical cycle
Cable recycling requires specialized infrastructure, advanced technologies and rigorous waste management. But the results are worth it :
- until 95 % Metal valuation,
- Reduction of CO₂ emissions,
- Decrease in consumption of virgin natural resources.
It is a key component of the ecological transition from the electrical industry.
Benefits and brakes of eco -responsible cables
Environmental benefits
One of the main advantages of eco -responsible cables is the significant reduction in environmental impact throughout their life cycle. Using recyclable materials, insulation without toxic substances and more sober manufacturing processes, These cables contribute to :
- Reduce CO₂ emissions,
- preserve natural resources such as copper and aluminum,
- Facilitate treatment at the end of life, thanks to a design oriented towards recycling.
They are part of a logic of circular economy, which becomes a requirement in more and more public and private markets on a global scale.
Equivalent technical performance
Contrary to popular belief, Eco -responsible cables do not necessarily imply compromise on quality. Recycled or alternative materials often keep very good electrical conductivity, Good thermal resistance, and sustainability adapted to industrial environments.
Many manufacturers, as ZMS CABLE, have developed certified ranges in accordance with international standards (CE, RoHS, ISO…) Without reducing performance.
Development brakes
Despite these advantages, Several obstacles still slow down the generalization of lasting cables :
- Sometimes higher production costs, especially for bio -based materials or recyclable technical polymers.
- Lack of effective recycling sectors in certain countries or regions.
- Buyers' ignorance on long -term profits (sustainability, saving, etc).
- Regulatory inertia : in some markets, Local standards do not yet sufficiently promote ecological innovation.
However, These brakes tend to decrease with the evolution of environmental policies and the rise of ESG requirements in supply chains.
Market state and trends towards greener manufacture
The manufacture of cables follows a rapid transformation under the effect of regulatory pressure and increasing environmental expectations.
Enhanced regulations
European standards like Rohs, Reach or the eco-design directive impose strict restrictions on the use of dangerous substances and encourage eco-design. These legislative executives become international references.
Sustainable practices in manufacturers
More and more industrialists adopt recyclable materials, reduce their carbon footprint and optimize the energy consumption of their factories. Some develop ranges of ecoconçae cables, Incorporating recycled and bio -based components.
Innovation for sustainable electrification
The boom in renewable energies, intelligent networks and electromobility pushes to create lighter cables, more sustainable, easier to recycle. Innovation is at the heart of this green transition.
How companies and users can act ?
The technical and logistical choices of professionals have a direct impact on the environmental imprint of projects.
Choose sustainable cables
Favor certified halogen -free cables, Recyclable sheath, Made locally or equipped with environmental labels (ISO 14001, Ecolabel, etc.).
Set up good recycling practices
Separate storage, sorting, collaboration with approved centers : The management of end -of -life cables must be an integral part of internal CSR policies.
Ensure traceability
Request technical sheets detailing the cable composition, its recyclability rate, and its origin. Better traceability allows a better end of life.
Conclusion : The cable industry in the face of the ecological challenge
The cable industry plays a central role in the energy transition. To meet climatic and regulatory issues, It must accelerate its mutation to recyclable materials, responsible processes and a logic of circular economy.
Progress is underway, But the challenges remain numerous : global standardization, investment, transformation of practices. Manufacturers, installers and users must act together to build a cleaner and more resilient electrical industry.