Green light for worldwide application of Ecoslim cable system in fiber optic networks

Ecoslim is the best cable system for fiber optic networks of the future. Especially since Prysmian Group's innovative solution is significantly more sustainable than conventional systems. The LCA studies and environmental product declarations ( EPDs ) from independent bodies now also prove this. This paves the way for every telecom company and data center to make the digital infrastructure more sustainable. That is why Prysmian Group Ecoslim recently launched worldwide at the ANGA COM conference in Cologne.

In fact, the application of Ecoslim started with the successful pilot of KPN, in 2020, for 11,000 connections. Since then, the leader in the telecom world has already connected more than 400,000 houses together with Open Dutch Fiber ( ODF ). Interest in the Ecoslim cable system is also growing in Scandinavia. Other regions and countries will follow soon, Prysmian Group expects.

Life Cycle Analysis

The developers knew that Ecoslim was a promising concept. But in order to accelerate its application, Prysmian Group had the environmental performance of the new cable system inventoried and verified by an independent party. Consultancy NIBE was commissioned to assess Ecoslim's entire lifecycle for environmental performance using Life Cycle Analyzes ( LCAs ). She will soon scientifically substantiate the startling results of these LCAs and record them in an Environmental Product Declaration ( EPD ).

Environmental product declarations

More and more customers are asking for such an EPD. An EPD contains transparent and neutral information about the aspects on which a product, based on the LCA, performs well and less well in terms of environmental impact. The substantiation is done according to a standardized European method ( in accordance with ISO 14025 and EN 15804 ). This makes EPDs reliable and internationally recognized tools for those who want to compare the environmental performance of products or systems. Prysmian Group had EPDs drawn up of its existing fiber optic components and of the currently used Ecoslim variants. After verification by an external party, the EPDs are published in two databases: the National Environmental Database ( NMD ) and DNGB Navigator.

Rules of account

Ecoslim is one of the first optical network components with an EPD. An EPD is drawn up according to standardized calculation rules or Product Category Rules ( PCR ). These guarantee that each EPD contains the same type of information within a certain product category. There are no such calculation rules for ( fiber ) cabling. However, the NLconnect trade association, of which Prysmian Group is a member, is in the process of drawing up those sector-wide calculation rules for the Netherlands.

Compaction

The Ecoslim system includes new fiber optic cables ( Sirocco High Density and Sirocco Extreme up to 192 glass fibers ) and new tube bundles ( Easenet with 2, 3, 5 or 7 bundled tubes ). The Ecoslim pipes have a 30 percent smaller diameter than conventional pipes. With this, Prysmian Group makes the construction of fiber optic networks more sustainable and efficient, whereby more fibers can be installed within the available space.

Sustainability

Ecoslim's environmental benefits are mainly in the reduced amount of processed raw materials. Prysmian Group uses 50 percent less raw materials ( plastic or PE ) for the production of the new cables and pipes than for conventional cabling. In addition to this significant direct savings, there is an indirect environmental benefit because Prysmian Group mostly produces the pipes from high-quality recycled PE ( HDPE ) and packed smaller. These savings lead to less waste and cutting losses and result in enormous savings of CO2 emissions for fiber optic networks, which can reach up to 60 percent.

Efficiency

The efficiency benefits are mainly in logistics and installation. Due to the smaller diameters, much larger lengths fit on a reel and transport, storage and packaging can be greatly reduced. With this, Prysmian Group achieves an additional reduction in CO2 emissions. Furthermore, the installer with the same capacity can lay ( manpower, equipment ) more pipes and fiber optic cables, leaving less waste from the installation process.

Ecoslim enables a higher fiber volume per channel diameter. Less wide slots are required, especially at power stations where many cables come together. This simplifies the construction and densification of fiber optic networks in densely populated and wired areas.  In addition, less excavation work leads to less ground transport, so that the nuisance for the environment ( road breaks ) is minimal.

More in less

The LCAs and EPDs for Ecoslim prove that Prysmian Group is able to combine more efficiency and less environmental impact excellently. This innovation makes it possible to install more glass fibers while maintaining functionality and a smaller ecological footprint than conventional cable solutions. Prysmian Group produces all Ecoslim products in Europe.