Nexans globally united for a successful Fourth Planet Week

Nexans celebrated its 4th annual internal Planet Week across many locations worldwide. Packed with eye-opening conversations, knowledge-sharing workshops, and effective initiatives, the occasion inspired increased awareness and involvement in reaching Nexans’ climate objectives.

Participants eagerly joined expert-led talks, Climate Fresk® workshops, tried fun trivia contests, and got hands-on with environmental impact reduction job like running secondhand marketplaces and sharing tips about reforestation projects. Imaginative projects bloomed, stretching from cutting-edge eco-runs to setting up homes for pollinators and looking after buzzing beehives.

Standouts from diverse divisions displayed groups spearheading clean-ups, teaching recycling methods, and broadcasting educational movies. Teammates set up learning labs, and managed a neighborhood artwork challenge addressing climate matters. Associates undertook coastal maintenance, backed waste minimization plans, and promoted special menus with fresh, organic products and sourced locally.

Such incredible examples of harmony underline Nexans’ unwavering promise to create a thriving, long-lasting impression, enhancing the brand’s image as an electrification pure player. Collaborating inside and outside departments, Nexans confirms that combined efforts foster enthusiasm for raising employee awareness and understanding of climate and environmental issues, highlighting the necessity of taking action in daily job.

Nexans Morocco is proud to launch the second edition of the “Nexans Climate Challenge,” scheduled from May 15 to June 15, 2024. Under the theme “Innovative Technologies: Accelerating the Energy Transition“, this year’s challenge aims to stimulate the creativity of projects owners, by encouraging them to share innovative solutions in various fields related to sustainability.

After a successful first edition, Nexans, in partnership with the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Cluster EnR, and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University of Benguerir (UM6P), intends to make this competition an annual meeting of innovation.

The Nexans Climate Challenge provides a collaborative platform that brings together stakeholders from academic circles, research, industry, startups, and civil society. This initiative fosters the exchange of expertise and knowledge, promoting sustainable development.

Candidates are invited to submit their projects in several categories: renewable energies, environment and sustainable development, energy services, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, and industrial ecology. A panel of experts from Nexans, alongside specialists from the energy and climate sectors, will evaluate the projects, based on criteria that include environmental impact, degree of innovation, economic viability, and feasibility.

The winners of the “Nexans Climate Challenge” will receive financial support and personalized assistance to further develop their innovations. They will be rewarded at the 4th edition of Climate Day, an event hosted by the Nexans Group in Morocco, on September 26, 2024.

Applications for the second edition of the Nexans Climate Challenge are open until June 15, 2024. Participants are encouraged to submit their projects using the following link: Nexans

Europe is committed to reaching climate neutrality by 2050, and 35% of greenhouse gas emission reduction can be achieved by energy efficiency alone.

As part of its climate strategy, Nexans has committed to Net-Zero emissions by 2050. For the renovation of its industrial park’s lighting in Europe, the Group chose a solution that is both agile and resilient.

Nexans initiated with Signify, formerly known as Philips Lighting, the renovation of its lighting to move to LED in 12 of its sites in Europe, allowing the Group to reduce carbon footprint by 1,400 tons of CO2 equivalent overall per year. This partnership with Signify is a perfect example of how our suppliers – who are an integral part of the Group’s ecosystem, contribute to our roadmap.

This project is part of a European initiative called Efficiency as a Service (EaaS), led by the Basel Agency for Sustainable Energy (BASE) and part of the global Servitisation for Energy Transition (SET) Alliance, which operates on a pay-per-use model. Instead of paying for the actual product or infrastructure, customers only pay for the service they receive. The main goal of this project is to make it easier for companies to switch to energy-efficient solutions and speed up their adoption in the built environment.

Thanks to this model, Nexans achieves immediate savings on its consumption of electricity without having to invest in a new facility lighting system.

The RENOV (Recycling and Reincorporation of Elastomer Materials) research project, supported by ADEME, aims to develop innovative technical solutions for recycling plastics, in particular cross-linked industrial plastics widely used in the manufacturing of power cables and accessories.

Representing a total investment of more than €3.6 million, this project is co-financed to the tune of more than €2 million by the French government, as part of the France 2030 plan (operated by ADEME and financed by the European Union – NextGenerationEU). It aims to develop the country’s industrial competitiveness and future technologies.

This research program involves four partners – Elkem, Hutchinson, Nexans, and Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (IMP, CP2M & ISA) and relying on the expertise of the Axel’One platform. It aims to develop a circular economy model for plastics in order to limit their environmental impact, by collecting waste, recycling it and feeding it back into the manufacturing chain.

The project is designed to meet the growing market demand for products containing recycled materials.

Major technical and scientific challenges

The technical innovations to be developed should enable the industrial partners to achieve a 25% rate of recycled raw materials in their respective finished products. By 2032, this could amount to more than 2,000 metric tons per year for each partner.

Several avenues are being explored:

• develop methods for analyzing the composition of waste and analytical monitoring of recycling processes, in particular using the expertise of the Axel’One platform.
• develop innovative mechanical recycling methods and combine them with chemical recycling techniques.
• incorporate recycled material as new raw material in formulations and study the various influences (processes, rates of incorporation, etc.).

Environmental, economic and social challenges

At first glance, the use of recycled raw material as part of the project and according to the proposed scenarios should help to reduce the carbon footprint of the finished products concerned by around 0.3 to 0.9 kg CO2.eq per kg of product. This would correspond to a reduction in the carbon footprint of these products by around 20 to 25%. As the life cycle analysis will need to be quantified in greater detail, it is the subject of a specific project task.

In terms of social and economic benefits, the introduction of industrial waste recovery and recycling channels and processes should create new jobs specializing in this area of the circular economy.

Anniversary meeting at AmpaCity, Nexans’ global innovation hub in Lyon

At the start of 2024, the consortium met to take stock of the first year of collaboration. The initial results are significant for the project’s progress:

• Collection and analysis of waste batches by each manufacturer to improve the definition of the waste targeted by the project: properties, chemistry, content (pollution), etc.
• Discussions about the various technologies available on the market and tests carried out using certain machines have produced promising initial results, pointing to significant rates of reincorporation of recycled raw material (>5%).
• Three post-doctoral researchers at Lyon 1 University have begun more specific studies combining mechanical and chemical recycling techniques, each focusing on a particular type of polymer/elastomer:

1. silicones for Elkem
2. rubbers for Hutchinson
3. polyolefins for Nexans.

Nexans’ CSR performance in 2023 attests to the company’s ability to combine economic prosperity, social commitment and reduced environmental impacts. The importance that Nexans gives to continuously improving its ethical and environmental practices highlights its positive contribution for society as a whole. This approach positions Nexans as an industry leader, showing that ethics and sustainability can go hand in hand with commercial success.

Progress and leadership confirmed in 2023

Nexans’ CSR performance was recognized by three independent rating organizations in 2023, reflecting the Group’s ongoing commitment to transition towards sustainable and responsible practices. As evidence of the company’s strategy to incorporate sustainability at every level of the organization, the A rating awarded by MSCI ESG Ratings emphasizes Nexans’ resilience to environmental, societal and governance risks.

Moreover, Nexans’ score of 80/100, places it in the top 1% of companies rated by EcoVadis, therefore maintaining its Platinum Medal for CSR recognition. This performance confirms that Nexans has implemented effective ethical business practices and sustainable initiatives.

Lastly, Nexans improved its Ethifinance score to 74/100 in 2023, affirming its commitment to environmental and social sustainable development.

The recognition gained through these scores demonstrates Nexans’ commitment to comply with and promote high standards of sustainability and social responsibility.

Focus on the future

For 2024 and the years ahead, Nexans intends to pursue its CSR efforts, primarily by focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing innovative solutions for a low-carbon economy. These targets are in keeping with a global sustainability and social responsibility policy that aligns with both regulations and stakeholder expectations.

Nexans’ achievements in 2023 are merely the first steps on its pathway, clearly focused on the future. By continuing to combine innovation, sustainability and ethical conduct, Nexans feels confident about its ability to take on new opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in 2024 and beyond.

In the fast-evolving world of global markets, Nexans stands tall with a robust ecosystem. Our Suppliers are at the heart of Nexans ecosystem, seamlessly collaborating to amplify E3 impacts: Economics, Environment, and Engagement. This October, we celebrated this partnership with the 3rd Nexans Suppliers Day, a hallmark of our E3 journey.

Antifragility: the bedrock of our future together

In an ever-shifting landscape of global challenges, Our CEO, Christopher Guérin emphasized the importance of moving beyond resilience.

Nexans & Suppliers serving a unique ecosystem

Far from a mere supply chain, Nexans is part of a vibrant ecosystem ripe with potential.

Voices from valued partners like TenneT, Celsia, and Sonepar echoed this spirit of co-creation.

We spotlighted Nexans’ low-carbon offerings thanks to our cooperation with suppliers. For example, Nexans has launched a new range of low-carbon distribution grid cables in France. The eco-centric approach, spanning the product life cycle, has culminated in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50% for some products. Rooted in low-carbon aluminum, recycled plastic, and decarbonized energy, these innovations offer transparent CO2 data, enabling stakeholders to streamline their carbon footprint.

In the realm of sustainable advancements, Laure Desseigne emphasized the potential of collaborative endeavors. Harnessing the collective strength of stakeholders, especially suppliers, can lead to groundbreaking environmental solutions. As we continuously refine our products, this joint effort is crucial for spearheading sustainable innovations and reinforcing the ecosystem’s commitment to ecological progress.

Heartwarming success stories added a touch of inspiration, highlighting circular economy, supply chain’s digitization and long-term security of supply through successful collaborations with industry stalwarts like KGHM, Schneider Electric, Suez, and Trimet.

However, with opportunities come challenges such as our joint responsibility in adapting to new regulations and ensuring a compliant, robust, and data-driven supply chain at all tier levels.

E3 suppliers’ scoring unveiled

Jérôme Chiquet, our VP Group Purchasing, introduced the innovative E3 suppliers’ scoring system, a robust framework ensuring our suppliers align with our E3 vision. “It’s not just about profit but ensuring that economic gains don’t come at the expense of our environment or engagement,” he elaborated.

From Vision to Reality: The E3 journey

Reflecting on our path since 2021, the milestones achieved with our strategic suppliers stand testament to our shared vision. We electrify the future!

On September 6, Nexans Turkey‘s team unveiled its latest environmental initiative: the solar power facility adorning the roof of Nexans’ Denizli plant.

In a major step towards sustainability and environmental responsibility, and one year after the launch of the project, the solar roof has successfully been inaugurated, in attendance of Nexans figures and local authorities. This ambitious initiative is key towards an eco-conscious future: the system will reduce the plant’s CO2 emissions by an impressive 600 tons per year.

The solar roof implementation aligns perfectly with Nexans’ contribution to carbon neutrality for 2030. It also directly matches Nexans E3 strategy, combining Economy, Environment and Engagement, and promoting sustainable practices across the company.

The 1MW solar rooftop is now operational, making it a tangible example of how sustainable energy solutions can be integrated into industrial settings.

That is why the Denizli plant’s solar rooftop inauguration is not only a milestone but also a promise to the planet. By harnessing the power of sun, Nexans Turkey further emphasizes its dedication to environmental excellence.

But the commitment to sustainability doesn’t stop at the plant’s rooftop. On the same day, the solar facility in DOÇEM’s school, a Fondation Nexans CSR project that Nexans Turkey has fervently supported, was also inaugurated.

DOÇEM is a renowned school that provides special education for autistic children. The solar roof installation fully meets the power requirements, substituting for conventional power sources, and is poised to make a real difference in the lives of more than 340 children each year.

This heartwarming project showcases Nexans Turkey’s engagement beyond corporate borders, making a positive impact on the local community.

Both solar roof installations underscore Nexans dedication to environmental responsibility and its determination to align with its E3 vision. By reducing carbon emissions, harnessing solar energy, and giving back to the local community, Nexans Turkey sets a stellar example for corporate sustainability initiatives.

Insights from ‘Sustainable Construction: Shaping the Future’ event

In a significant gathering named “Sustainable Construction: Shaping the Future“, hosted by Indeco by Nexans in Lima on August 4th, industry leaders, public and private stakeholders, guild representatives, and civil associations converged to delve into the pivotal role of sustainability within the construction domain. This event underscored that sustainability isn’t just an abstract concept but a tangible approach to constructing a conscientious future in harmony with the environment.

The meeting was attended by Jose Salardi, Executive Director of Proinversión; Alex García, General Manager of Indeco by Nexans; Leonie Roca, President of the Association for the Promotion of the National Infrastructure (AFIN); Rosa Bueno, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Lima (CCL); and Antonio Amico, President of the Association of Real Estate Developers of Peru (ADI).

Alex García, representing Indeco by Nexans, emphasized the multifaceted aspects of sustainability within the construction sector. One notable dimension is the selection of materials, wherein the choice of electrical cables bears significant weight. The proliferation of counterfeit materials not only jeopardizes the safety of Peruvian families but also escalates costs, including energy consumption. García highlighted the pivotal role of companies in educating consumers about secure and sustainable product choices, emphasizing the duty to inform customers about the environmental impact of their purchases.

Rosa Bueno, President of CCL, underscored the rising significance of sustainability in business operations and emphasized the guild’s dedication to promoting sustainable practices. The CCL representative revealed that the CCL’s sustainability commission is partnering with the European Union to support small and medium-sized enterprises in embracing sustainability through circular economy initiatives.

Antonio Amico, ADI’s President, recognized the construction sector’s pivotal role in Peru’s economic landscape, ranking second only to mining in contributions. Amico highlighted the growing trend of integrating sustainability into construction projects, including innovations such as wastewater reuse and the installation of underground electrical cables to minimize environmental impact while embracing alternative energy sources.

In addition, Leonie Roca addressed the challenges posed by sustainability implementation within the sector, particularly in the public sector. The association’s representative lamented that the prevailing criteria for approving public investment projects often prioritize speed and cost considerations, leading to a deficiency in sustainability aspects. She asserted that current sustainable practices focus on reducing waste generation and optimizing process efficiency in both construction and infrastructure endeavours.

The collective insights from this event make it clear that education and awareness are critical components in driving sustainable practices in the construction sector. By aligning stakeholders and fostering a deeper understanding of the environmental consequences of their choices, the industry can pave the way for a more responsible and ecologically harmonious future.

Nexans Morocco launches the first edition of the “Nexans Climate Challenge”. The competition aims to encourage climate innovation by rewarding the most promising projects in this field.

The challenge is open to all project holders, whether in corporate or academic sector, as well as start-ups, who are developing innovative solutions to combat climate change. Candidates can submit their projects in one of the following four categories: renewable energies, energy efficiency, sustainable mobility and circular economy.

Projects will be evaluated by a jury composed of experts from Nexans and the energy and climate domain ecosystem, based on several criteria, such as environmental impact, innovation, economic viability and feasibility. As a result, the winners of the “Nexans Climate Challenge” will receive financial support and have the opportunity to collaborate with Nexans on future projects to promote the development of innovative sustainable solutions.

Three winning projects will be selected by the jury and rewarded in 2024 during the 4th edition of Nexans Climate Day.

The Nexans Climate Challenge provides a unique opportunity for innovative project holders to gain visibility and recognition on a global scale. It also aims to serve as a platform for collaboration and partnership with Nexans and other stakeholders in the fields of energy transition and sustainable development.

This Climate Challenge reflects Nexans’ commitment to tackling climate change and promoting sustainable development. The competition is part of the Group’s broader strategy to transition to a low-carbon future and support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

As the Fondation Nexans celebrates its 10th anniversary, Nexans looks back with pride at the impact made in bringing electricity, education and sustainable development to underprivileged populations worldwide.

Over the past decade, the Foundation has supported over 145 projects across five continents, benefiting more than 2.2 million people. It owes this success to the dedication of its partner NGOs and the hard work of the Group’s employees.

In 2013, Nexans became the first player in the cable industry to establish a Corporate Foundation devoted to serving the public interest. Its creation was a natural extension of the Group’s commitment to professionalizing international initiatives for the development of electrification for underprivileged populations by placing them in a common perspective.

The Fondation Nexans has the following objectives:

• Support actions to provide access to energy for underprivileged populations worldwide by favoring organizations close to the field and reliable and sustainable solutions.
• Support the education and training of populations in technical, energy, and environmental fields.
• Support environmental studies related to electrification, including climate, energy sobriety, protection of resources, and biodiversity.

The Foundation is highly selective in its choice of projects, prioritizing those with the greatest social and environmental impact, particularly in bringing electricity to local communities.

Going even further

This year, the Fondation Nexans’ budget has been increased by 30%, which will enable it to expand its reach and support even more impactful projects in the future. With this strengthened impact objective, the Foundation will be perfectly in line with the Group’s strategy for sustainable electrification, accessible to all.