Breakthroughs in Ultra-High Voltage
Two significant achievements in ultra-high voltage cable technology were recently reported in China.
640kV Test Platform in Zhoushan: State Grid Zhoushan Power Supply Company's innovation team has built and commissioned a 640kV ultra-high voltage direct current (UHVDC) cable comprehensive performance test platform. This enables China to conduct independent tests for DC cables up to 640kV, providing strong support for offshore clean energy development and cross-sea power grid interconnection.
Localized 500kV AC Cable: China Electric Equipment Group has successfully developed and begun batch production of a 500kV AC cable using domestically produced insulation material**. This marks a crucial step in breaking the import dependence on core materials for high-end cables. The cable has passed key tests including power frequency withstand voltage and lightning impulse withstand voltage.
Standards and Regulatory Progress
The development and update of industry standards are guiding the sector towards higher standardization and quality.
Nuclear Cable Standard: The national standard GB/T 22577-2025 "General Requirements for 1E Cables for Nuclear Power Plants", jointly prepared by Jiangsu Shangshang Cable Group, China Nuclear Power Engineering Co., Ltd., and other institutions, has been officially released. It is scheduled for implementation on March 1, 2026, and will guide the design, production, and application of cables for third- and fourth-generation nuclear technologies.
Communication Cable Standards: Chengdu Datang Cable Co., Ltd. has led or participated in the formulation and implementation of several national and industry standards in 2025, such as YD/T 2163-2024 "50Ω Bundled Coaxial Cable for Mobile Communication", setting high-performance benchmarks for the industry. International Market Dynamics
The growth outlook in France and the launch of new products reflect global trends towards safety and smart functionality in cables.
French Market Outlook: According to Reports Insights Consulting, the cable assembly market in France is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.8% from 2025 to 2033, expanding from USD 185.0 billion to USD 339.7 billion. Key technologies driving growth include smart cable integration, high-speed data transmission capabilities, and automated manufacturing processes.
New Product Launch: In response to new French interior ministry regulations applicable from 2025, Nexans has launched the "Nexans Protect"range of fire safety cables. These Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) cables are designed to significantly reduce fire spread and toxic fume emission. The range is primarily designed and manufactured at Nexans' plant in Autun, France.
Technology Innovation and Application
Cable companies continue to innovate to meet the challenges of specific application environments.
Application in Extreme Cold: Chengdu Datang Cable optimized a leakage coaxial cable for a high-speed rail project, using special halogen-free, low-smoke, flame-retardant materials to ensure stable operation in extreme temperatures as low as -40°C.
Industry Events and Exhibitions
Upcoming industry events provide platforms for knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Wuhan International Cable & Wire Expo 2025: This event will be held at the Wuhan International Expo Center from October 11 to 13, 2025. It will feature theme areas for automotive wiring harnesses, 5G communication cables, and UHV transmission, alongside technical summits and procurement matching sessions.
"Deep Blue & Sky" Optoelectronic Cable Seminar: Hosted by the China Electronic Components Association, this seminar is scheduled for October 30 to November 1, 2025, in Jishui County, Jiangxi Province. It will focus on frontier technologies, materials, and challenges for optical and electrical cables used in deep-sea and space applications.
Product Quality Supervision
Ongoing government oversight remains crucial for ensuring market order and consumer safety.
Substandard Products in Jiangmen: The Market Supervision Administration of Guangdong Province published the results of a product quality spot check in October 2025, which listed 9 products from Jiangmen city as substandard, involving companies including Jinsheng Cable. It is noted that Jinsheng Cable has had products fail the spot check for two consecutive years.
