Sustainable logistics in action

At Nexans’ high-voltage operational site in Marcinelle, Wallonia, a shift in transport strategy is delivering concrete results — for operations, the environment, and society.

Since early 2025, Nexans has implemented inland waterway logistics to ship 320kV cable reels from its plant in Charleroi to Brunsbüttel, in northern Germany. Each reel can weigh up to 42 tons and carry cable lengths of up to 1,700 meters, destined for critical offshore wind infrastructure. Over the course of the project — from spring 2025 to summer 2026 — Nexans will deliver 75 drums covering a total of 100 kilometers.

By moving these oversized drums by barge instead of truck, Nexans is making large-scale industrial logistics more efficient — and more sustainable.

Delivering on E3: Engagement, Environment, Economy

This project is more than a logistical improvement — it’s a direct example of E3 in action, Nexans’ performance model built around three balanced pillars:

Engagement – for people

• Strengthening regional employment by supporting inland port operations
• Reducing truck traffic and noise in residential areas
• Enhancing safety by minimizing the risk of transporting oversized cargo on public roads

Environment – for the planet

• Significantly reducing CO₂ emissions compared to traditional road transport
• Lower fuel consumption
• Supporting modal shift from road to water — a priority for sustainable transport in Europe

Economy – for long-term resilience

• Improving delivery reliability and reducing the risk of damage or delays
• Aligning better with complex production schedules
• Reinforcing Nexans’ role in Europe’s electrification value chain through competitive, ethical supply models

Together, these gains demonstrate how practical choices at site level contribute to Nexans’ broader commitment to sustainable and responsible business — as outlined in the Group’s CSR strategy aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

An industrial site with a forward-looking mindset

Nexans’ Marcinelle site has a long industrial heritage and today plays a key role in Nexans’ global operations — producing high-voltage cables up to 525kV for offshore wind farms and interconnectors. These technologies are essential to power Europe’s energy transition.

Through close coordination with local authorities and port stakeholders in Wallonia, Nexans is not only optimizing transport — it is helping shape a smarter, cleaner industrial future.