Nexans, a worldwide leading expert in the cable industry, is pleased to announce our newest product, ENERGEX® EXTRA, made possible through the conversion of our medium voltage production to utilize DOW ENDURANCE™ HFDC-4202 tree-retardant cross-linked polyethylene (TR-XLPE) insulation.

Comprehensive laboratory and pilot plant testing by Dow, in addition to full Insulated Cable Engineers Association (ICEA) qualification tests, verify DOW ENDURANCE HFDC-4202 insulation provides superior performance compared to previously available insulation systems.

The advantages of ENERGEX® EXTRA using DOW ENDURANCE HFDC-4202 include: improved resistance to water tree growth; higher retained dielectric strength after ICEA 360 day Accelerated Water Treeing Test (AWTT); and reduced cost of ownership through longer cable life.

"Our customers demand reliability, consistency and cost optimization in their medium voltage cables.  Nexans conversion to DOW ENDURANCE HFDC-4202 will further improve the performance of our medium voltage cables and exceed industry standards for long service life and reliability," says Rick Vascotto, Vice-President Sales and Marketing, North America Energy Infrastructures.

Nexans has received certification to Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard C68.5 (primary shielded and concentric neutral cable for distribution utilities), and is eligible to apply the CSA mark on products manufactured with DOW ENDURANCE HFDC-4202 insulation.

"Utilities, manufacturers and materials providers must collaborate in order to ultimately deliver power cable solutions that ensure reliability and maximum service life," said Fred Dennert, Division Manager of Distribution Standards at BC Hydro, the largest electric utility in British Columbia, who is currently receiving DOW ENDURANCE HFDC-4202 insulated cables from Nexans. "We are proud to be a long-time partner with Nexans, and support their commitment to working with innovative companies like Dow to provide next-generation products that exceed industry standards."

"Nexans is the first manufacturer in North America to make a full conversion to DOW ENDURANCE HFDC-4202 insulation for their ENERGEX® EXTRA cables, and we are excited about the launch of this new product," said Kim Ann Mink, Ph.D., Business President, Dow Elastomers, Electrical & Telecommunications. "Our collaboration underscores the commitment each of us has made to continually innovate through our Dow Inside alliance to bring enhanced reliability for power distribution solutions."

In addition to delivering electrical performance that exceeds existing TR-XLPEs, ENERGEX® EXTRA made with DOW ENDURANCE™ HFDC-4202 insulation offers superb extrusion processing characteristics and enhanced strippability for ease of field accessory installation.  The technology is backed by Dow Electrical & Telecommunications' and Nexans' more than 160 combined years of industry expertise, technology and process knowledge.

About Nexans

With energy at the basis of its development, Nexans, worldwide expert in the cable industry, offers an extensive range of cables and cabling solutions. The Group is a global player in the energy transmission and distribution, industry and building markets. Nexans addresses a wide series of market segments: from energy and telecom networks to energy resources (wind turbines, photovoltaic, oil and gas or mining…) to transportation (shipbuilding, aerospace, automotive and automation, railways...).

Nexans is a responsible industrial company that regards sustainable development as integral to its global and operational strategy. Continuous innovation in products, solutions and services, employee development and commitment, customer orientation and the introduction of safe industrial processes with limited environmental impact are among the key initiatives that place Nexans at the core of a sustainable future.

With an industrial presence in 40 countries and commercial activities worldwide, Nexans employs 25,000 people and had sales in 2012 of 7.2 billion euros. Nexans is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris, compartment A. For more information, please consult: www.nexans.com

About Dow Electrical & Telecommunications

Dow Electrical & Telecommunications, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), is a leading global provider of products, technology, solutions and knowledge that sets standards for reliability, longevity, efficiency, ease of installation and protection that the power and telecommunications industries can count on in the transmission, distribution and consumption of power, voice and data. Understanding that collaboration is essential to success, Dow Electrical & Telecommunications works together with cable makers, other industry suppliers, utilities, municipalities, testing institutes and other organizations around the world to help develop solutions and create mutual value that will sustain these industries for years to come.www.dow.com/electrical.

distributed by