Low-voltage and instrumentation cables. HFFR PE compounds replacing PVC in tunnel/CPR-classified projects.
Plasticised PVC is the dominant material for low-voltage building cable insulation and sheathing in Europe. Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) handles medium and high-voltage power cables. Halogen-free flame retardant (HFFR) compounds based on MDPE/EVA replace PVC in public buildings, tunnels and CPR Cca-classified projects. Each application has specific test standards under CPR EN 50575 and IEC 60332.
It depends on the application and regulatory context. PVC offers excellent fire retardancy, mechanical robustness and cost — strengths in residential building wiring. Polyethylene-based HFFR compounds win in tunnels, schools, hospitals and metro systems because they emit very low smoke and no acidic fumes when burned, which improves evacuation safety. EU CPR enforcement is shifting share toward HFFR.
HFFR stands for Halogen-Free Flame Retardant. The cable insulation and sheath compound is based on MDPE or EVA filled with mineral flame retardants (typically aluminium trihydrate or magnesium hydroxide) instead of halogenated additives. When burned, HFFR cable releases minimal smoke and no corrosive HCl gas — critical for life safety in tunnels, public buildings, and any enclosed evacuation space.
Fibre-optic microduct (4–16 mm OD) and spine duct are extruded from HDPE with a low-friction inner liner that allows optical fibre to be blown in by compressed air. Larger telecoms ducts are HDPE or PVC. The European FTTH (fibre-to-the-home) build-out has driven significant HDPE microduct demand — most providers (BT, Deutsche Telekom, KPN) are mid-build on multi-year programmes.