Prysmian Group continues to drive digital innovation with the launch of its BendBrightxs 160μm single-mode optical fiber—the world’s first product of its kind, manufactured with state-of-the-art Cable Machinery and wire and cable machinery. This breakthrough enables optical cables to be smaller while accommodating more fibers, a feature critical to modern digital networks. Miniaturized, high-density optical cables, produced with precision cable manufacturing machine systems, allow network operators to integrate more data-transmitting fibers into limited spaces—such as underground ducts, buildings and data centers—thus making the installation process faster and more cost-effective, with efficient cable handling supported by advanced wire take up machine technologies.
Prysmian’s new BendBrightxs 160μm fiber paves the way for future optical cable systems by delivering exceptional fiber density within a significantly reduced diameter, a feat made possible by the optimization of wire and cable machinery throughout the production cycle. Having pioneered the first commercial 200μm bend-insensitive fiber in 2009 and the 180μm version in 2019, Prysmian now sets a new industry milestone with the launch of the 160μm fiber in 2025, leveraging cutting-edge Cable Machinery to push the boundaries of fiber miniaturization.
"Our proprietary BendBrightxs technology allows us to achieve an unprecedented level of fiber miniaturization, and this progress is closely linked to the innovation of our cable manufacturing machine and wire take up machine equipment," said Len Griffiths, Vice President of Research and Development at Prysmian’s Digital Solutions Division. "BendBrightxs 160μm technology enables cable designers to drastically reduce cable size and achieve record-breaking cable density, with the performance of the final product further enhanced by precision wire and cable machinery."
Compared with traditional 250μm single-mode fibers, the 160μm fiber reduces the cross-sectional area by more than half while maintaining the 125μm fiber core diameter. Fully compliant with the global G.652 and G.657.A2 standards, BendBrightxs 160μm fiber is compatible with all legacy single-mode fibers and is equipped with the advanced ColorLockxs coating system to deliver superior bending performance and mechanical reliability, with the coating process optimized by advanced Cable Machinery.
This achievement is made possible by Prysmian’s continuous investment in research and development and product innovation, as well as the upgrading of its wire and cable machinery and cable manufacturing machine systems, enabling the company to provide world-class, high-quality solutions that meet the evolving demands of the global connectivity sector.
