Viscas Starts DC XLPE Cable Commercial Production in Autumn 2009

Viscas Corporation, a fifty-fifty joint venture between Furukawa Electric and Fujikura to manufacture high-voltage power cables, starts commercial production of direct current (DC) cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) cable for submarine power transmission in autumn 2009. The firm converts a suspended productive line for alternate current XLPE cable at a domestic plant with 100-200-million yen capital expenditure.

Viscas hasn’t received DC XLPE cable orders for submarine power transmission yet. However, the firm regards DC XLPE cable as one of high-value-added strategic products and decided to prepare for commercial production this autumn. In Japan, Viscas and J-Power Systems can supply DC XLPE cable for submarine power transmission.

Viscas developed its original compound since DC XLPE cable requires special polyethylene for an insulating layer. The productive line will be specialized for DC XLPE cable because of the material difference.

Teruyoshi Tanabe, president of Viscas, gave an expectation for the future demand from international power network inside Asian region or as an alternative for laying oil-filled cable.