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• Nexans Protect: a range of cables developed specifically for tertiary and high-rise buildings;
• The cables are manufactured primarily in France, contributing to industrial sovereignty and providing a faster response to requirements;
• At the Autun plant in the Saône-et-Loire department, a site that is key to the industrial strategy of Nexans in France.
The new cables comply with the recent decree published by the Ministry of the Interior, applicable to all tertiary and high-rise buildings from 2025.
To address the challenge of electrical fires, which account for 25% of all fires in Europe, the new regulations seek to limit the spread of fires and, more particularly, the release of toxic fumes, which are the main cause of death in the event of fire. The decree of May 17, 2024 requires the use of low-smoke, halogen-free cables complying with standard XP C32-325.
Proven technology, manufactured primarily in France
Nexans is a pioneer in fire cable research, developing advanced solutions through its R&D department for over 20 years. The Group holds over 30 active patents in this field, with its AmpaCity global innovation center in Lyon.
To plan for the new regulations, Nexans is investing €40 million in its plant in Autun, in the Saône-et-Loire department. Today, Autun is the only site in France able to produce the new generation of fire safety cables, from the copper casting stage through to packaging. As a key site in the Group's industrial strategy, Autun has gained a number of new installations:
• A state-of-the-art halogen-free mixing unit, operational since early 2025;
• Increased capacity with new production lines, to support the transition to safer buildings, while making the site more competitive.
This major investment illustrates Nexans' ambition to anchor its innovations locally and contribute to French industrial sovereignty in the field of sustainable electrification.
A new offering: Nexans Protect
To meet these requirements, Nexans is announcing the launch of Nexans FRN1 X6G3 Protect, a range of cables certified NF-USE by the LCIE specially developed for tertiary and high-rise buildings. The new range delivers enhanced performance:
• Fire spread reduced by a factor of between 5 and 10 compared with conventional U1000 R2V cables;
• An evacuation process that is three times faster, with guaranteed visibility over 10 meters;
• Protection of persons against the acid and corrosive emissions from conventional U1000 R2V cables.
Nexans Protect goes beyond regulatory requirements, keeping occupants safe while limiting damage to infrastructure.
With Nexans Protect, the Group has developed a cable that is unique on the market, combining technical excellence with local production and digital support. Designed and manufactured primarily in France at the Autun site, the new range illustrates the commitment made by Nexans to French industrial sovereignty in the field of electrification, and its ability to respond to the needs of the building industry while keeping the occupants safe.
Recognized expertise in fire safety
With over 30 active patents and over twenty years of recognized expertise in fire safety, Nexans designs cables that exceed regulatory requirements and offer some of the highest protection performance on the market.
To support installers, project specifiers and contracting authorities, Nexans also provides a complete digital ecosystem: a white paper to understand regulatory changes, a smart configurator to identify the right products for each project with EasyProtect, webinars led by Group experts and now the integration of cables in BIM modeling for easier specification and integration into digital building models.
“ This new range of cables is compliant with new regulations and a significant step forward in protecting people and property. Thanks to our industrial presence in France, our 30 active patents, and the strategic investment plan initiated in 2023 at the Autun site, Nexans is the first manufacturer in France to meet this new requirement. Nexans Protect underlines our ambition to combine performance, safety and industrial sovereignty. ”
Guillaume Teixeira - CEO of Nexans France
About Nexans
For over a century, Nexans (nexans.com) has played a crucial role in the electrification of the planet and is committed to electrifying the future. With approximately 28,500 people in 41 countries, the Group is paving the way to a new world of safe, sustainable and decarbonized electricity that is accessible to everyone. In 2024, Nexans generated €7.1 billion in standard sales. The Group is a leader in the design and manufacturing of cable systems and services across four main business areas: PWR-Transmission, PWR-Grid, PWR-Connect and Industry & Solutions. Nexans was the first company in its industry to create a Foundation supporting sustainable initiatives, bringing access to energy to disadvantaged communities worldwide.
The Group is recognized on the CDP Climate Change A List as a global leader on climate action and has committed to Net-Zero emissions by 2050 aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Nexans. Electrify the future.
Contacts:
Mael Evin (Havas Paris)
T: +33(0)6 44 12 14 91 - E: nexans_h[.]havas.com.
Emmanuelle Guy
E: emmanuelle.guy[.]nexans.com.
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olivier.daban[.]nexans.com 
