At Nexans, the circular economy is a key driver of sustainable growth and innovation in the cable and electrification industry. By reducing dependence on virgin raw materials and expanding cable recycling solutions, Nexans is building a low-carbon, resource-efficient value chain.
Through eco-design, responsible sourcing, and closed-loop recycling systems, the Group is transforming every stage of its operations to reduce environmental impact, secure material supply, and create long-term value for customers and stakeholders.
A circular economy in the cable industry focuses on minimizing waste and maximizing the reuse of materials such as copper, aluminum, and polymers. By recovering and recycling end-of-life cables, manufacturers can produce new, high-performance cables with a significantly lower carbon footprint.
of recycled raw materials overall
of recycled copper
of recycled aluminum
Nexans integrates circular economy principles across its entire value chain—from product design to end-of-life recovery.
This approach enables the Group to:
Circularity also enhances collaboration across a broad ecosystem of customers, suppliers, recycling partners, and industrial stakeholders.
Nexans’ circular economy strategy is built on five core pillars:
Copper recycling and continuous casting (Lens facility)
Nexans is investing in a new copper production and recycling facility at its site in Lens, in partnership with Continuus Properzi. Supported by the France 2030 national investment plan, this €90 million project, Nexans Continuous Copper Casting & Recycling (NCCCR), will enable the recycling of 80,000 tons of copper scrap annually, strengthening the Group’s ability to secure sustainable raw materials while reducing environmental impact.
Aluminum recycling loop with RTE
In collaboration with RTE, Nexans has launched the first closed-loop recycling system in France for aluminum from end-of-life overhead high- and extra-high-voltage cables. This initiative will recycle 600 tons of aluminum per year and reduce CO₂ emissions by at least 400 metric tons annually. It demonstrates how circular economy solutions can directly contribute to decarbonization in the energy sector.
CableLoop: Cable recycling as a service
Nexans continues to expand CableLoop, its innovative cable recycling service designed for both industrial clients and professionals. With the deployment of CableLoop Enterprise and CableLoop Professionals, the Group collects cable waste directly from customers, recovers valuable materials such as copper and aluminum, and reintegrates them into new production cycles. In 2025, collection terminals were installed at 26 additional locations in France and Spain, with further international expansion planned.
Cable recycling with RecyCâbles
Through its joint venture RecyCâbles, established with Suez, Nexans operates one of Europe’s leading cable recycling platforms. At the Noyelles-Godault facility in northern France, a wide range of cables (power and telecom, copper and aluminum) are processed to recover reusable materials for new cable manufacturing.
Nexans is accelerating the qualification and deployment of recycled materials across its global operations, including:
This initiative supports the Group’s ambition to increase recycled content in its products while reducing reliance on primary raw materials.
Nexans is committed to ensuring that the materials used in its cables are sourced and processed according to the highest environmental, social, and governance standards. In 2023, the Group became one of the first cable manufacturers to receive the Copper Mark, a certification that verifies responsible production practices across the copper value chain and supports the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This rigorous, independent assessment evaluates copper production sites against 33 internationally recognized sustainability criteria, covering environmental protection, labor practices, human rights, and business integrity. Nexans’ metallurgical facilities in Montreal (Canada) and Lens (France) have both been awarded the Copper Mark.
This initiative reinforces Nexans’ commitment to responsible sourcing, reduced environmental impact, and increased transparency across its supply chain.
Across its industrial footprint, Nexans has invested in advanced recycling technologies, including:
These technologies enable sites to process:
As a result, valuable materials are recovered and reintegrated into manufacturing processes, reinforcing a fully circular model.
Reducing resource consumption across operations
Replacing virgin raw materials with recycled or reused materials
Developing recycling ecosystems with customers, suppliers, and partners
By embedding circular economy principles into its strategy, Nexans contributes to the transition toward a more sustainable and resilient electrification model. Through innovation, partnerships, and industrial investment, the Group is shaping a future where cable production is increasingly resource-efficient, low-carbon, and circular.
