In an exclusive interview with Wire & Cable India, Mr. Manoj Kumar Kothari, VP Marketing, and Mr. Prakash Sahoo, VP Marketing, at Ddev Plastiks Industries Limited, share that cable manufacturers are increasingly looking for high-performance, multi-functional material solutions such as HFFR, LSZH, XLPO, silicone-based, and elastomeric compounds for applications across power transmission and distribution, renewable energy, EV charging infrastructure, railways, data centers, industrial automation, and telecommunications. Ddev Plastiks Industries develops application-specific compounds to meet these growing demands. He further emphasized that the next phase of the specialty wire and cable industry will be driven by sustainability, material performance, processing efficiency, and compliance with global quality and safety standards, enabling the production of high-performance wires and cables under demanding operating environments.
Wire & Cable India: Which specialty cable applications are presently generating the strongest demand for advanced compounds, additives, masterbatches, and specialty material systems?
Manoj Kothari: The strongest demand is coming from power transmission and distribution, renewable energy, EV charging infrastructure, railways, data centers, industrial automation, and telecom applications. These sectors require materials that offer superior electrical performance, flame safety, durability, and long service life under demanding operating conditions.
WCI: What major changes are you observing in cable manufacturers’material requirements?
Prakash Sahoo: Cable manufacturers are increasingly seeking multi-functional material solutions that combine enhanced flame retardancy, improved flexibility, higher thermal stability, UV resistance, and excellent chemical resistance. At the same time, consistency, regulatory compliance, and long-term reliability have become equally important considerations in material selection.
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WCI: How are automation, robotics, renewable energy, EV infrastructure, and other high-performance applications influencing compound development and formulation strategies?
MK: These emerging applications demand compounds capable of performing reliably under higher temperatures, mechanical stress, and continuous operation. As a result, formulation strategies are evolving toward higher-performance materials that also offer improved processability, efficiency, and compliance with global quality and safety standards.
WCI: What technical challenges arise while balancing performance, processability, compliance requirements, durability, and commercial viability within specialty cable compounds?
MK: The key challenge lies in achieving high technical performance without compromising manufacturing efficiency or cost competitiveness. Developing formulations that simultaneously meet stringent performance standards, maintain processing consistency, and remain commercially viable requires continuous innovation and close collaboration with customers.
While India has made significant progress in local manufacturing, certain high-performance polymers and specialty additives are still largely imported. However, there is strong potential for localization through increased R&D; technology partnerships, and domestic manufacturing capabilities, which will strengthen supply chain resilience and reduce import dependence.
WCI: How has demand evolved for HFFR/LSZH, XLPO, silicone, elastomeric, and other advanced material systems?
PS: The demand for HFFR/LSZH compounds continues to grow steadily due to increasing safety regulations. Similarly, XLPO, silicone, and elastomeric compounds are witnessing higher adoption in applications requiring superior thermal performance, flexibility, and environmental resistance, particularly in renewable energy, EVs, and industrial sectors.
WCI: To what extent does the Indian specialty cable material ecosystem still depend on imports, and where do you see localization opportunities?
PS: While India has made significant progress in local manufacturing, certain high-performance polymers and specialty additives are still largely imported. However, there is strong potential for localization through increased R&D; technology partnerships, and domestic manufacturing capabilities, which will strengthen supply chain resilience and reduce import dependence.
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WCI: How important have testing, certification, consistency control, and application-specific customization become?
MK: These aspects have become critical differentiators. Customers increasingly expect validated performance through rigorous testing, international certifications, consistent product quality, and customized formulations tailored to specific applications. At Ddev Plastiks, these remain central to our product development philosophy.
WCI: Looking ahead, which material technologies, compound systems, or performance requirements will shape the next phase of development?
PS: The future will be driven by safer, more sustainable, and higher-performance material systems. We expect continued growth in halogen-free flame-retardant compounds, advanced cross-linked polyolefins, recyclable materials, and solutions designed for higher operating temperatures and longer service life. Innovation focused on sustainability, performance, and compliance will define the next phase of the specialty cable industry.
Developing formulations that simultaneously meet stringent performance standards, maintain processing consistency, and remain commercially viable requires continuous innovation and close collaboration with customers.
