Tratos and Exel Composites Sign Carbon Fiber Composite Core Conductor Agreement
Italian cable manufacturer Tratos and Finnish Exel Composites have signed a long-term supply partnership from 2026 to 2029 with a minimum commitment of £22 million (approximately RMB 202 million) for carbon fiber composite core conductors.
The agreement addresses the dual challenge of aging power grids and renewable energy integration: approximately 40% of Europe's power grids have been in operation for over 40 years, and over 50% of North America's grids exceed 30 years of service. Traditional steel-reinforced aluminum conductors (ACSR) are reaching performance limits, making carbon fiber composite cores a key technological pathway for grid upgrades.
Technical advantages of carbon fiber composite conductors include:
Higher tensile strength
Lower thermal expansion coefficient
Low sag characteristics at high temperatures
Non-magnetic and corrosion-resistant properties
These features enable grid operators to increase transmission capacity and efficiency using existing towers and lines.
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) published Technical Specification IEC TS 62818-1 in 2025, building upon the ASTM B987 standard to establish quality criteria and testing methods for composite conductor cores, providing transmission system operators with benchmarks for commercial composite core products.
