Energy and telecommunications cable systems company Prysmian Group has launched the first optical cables certified green and Eco Cable-labelled.

The Eco Cable label is said to be the first proprietary green product label in the cable industry, based on an automatic calculation system using recognised and measurable criteria in line with the main regulatory frameworks and requirements, with a very specific focus on cable products.

The criteria reviews carbon footprint; the absence of substances of very high concern; recyclability/circularity; recycling input rate; environmental benefits; and cable transmission efficiency, which for optical cables means an increase in fibre density.

“The Eco Cable products are aimed at proactively addressing the greener and greener expectations of the telecom market and of all stakeholders,” says Prysmian Group telecom division executive VP Philippe Vanhille.

“We are now ready to present our range of telecommunications products where the measurable and recognised sustainable criteria can be applied to support the decarbonisation of operators and broadband infrastructure providers and strengthen their green supply chain and value proposition.”

The group, which showcased its range of Eco Cable-labelled products at the FTTH Conference 2023, held in Madrid in April, points out that fibre is intrinsically green as full-fibre networks consume significantly less electricity than copper-based broadband networks, and enable energy savings, helping achieve the twin transitions of Digital Europe and the European Green Deal.

“All the group’s telecommunications cables have been assessed, and about 30% of them are now Eco Cable-compliant and the deployment of the Eco Cable-labelled telecommunications products will start in May in Europe, with the rest to follow starting later in the year,” says Vanhille.

With this initiative, the group aims to strengthen its sustainability strategy and active role as a promoter of a sustainable development, as well as accelerate its race to net-zero carbon emissions.