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SUPERIOR ESSEX Introduces Performance and Time-Saving Enhancements to Loose Tube Fiber Cable Product Line

Posted on: Wednesday, 19 November 2003, 06:00 CST

ATLANTA, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Superior Essex announced today the introduction of a new composite polymer buffer tube material and improved water-blocking gel for the Company's loose tube fiber cable product line. Taken together, these innovations provide enhanced buffer tube flexibility, improved optical fiber protection and significant installation time-savings.

According to Superior Essex, the new composite polymer buffer tube provides the flexibility and kink resistance benefits of polypropylene with the compression and impact resistance benefits of PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), the two most common tube materials used in the marketplace. By overcoming the seemingly incompatible traits of flexibility and compression resistance, the new composite buffer tube allows for an overall better performing fiber cable in terms of ease-of-installation and optical fiber protection.

The new PFM (Polymer Filling Matrix) gel material possesses unique properties, which reduce the friction between the buffer tube and optical fibers during the tube removal process. This feature results in lower force required for fiber access and faster removal of the tubes from the optical fibers. The PFM gel is also much less sticky than conventional gel compounds, which allows for faster cleaning of the optical fibers prior to splicing and faster clean-up time following the installation process. Time-study trials conducted by Superior Essex show a 66% reduction in time for the tube removal and fiber cleaning process.

"These two new cable enhancements provide a breakthrough reduction in fiber installation time, without requiring a change to installation practices," said Tim Waldner, Sr. Vice President of Marketing for Superior Essex Communications LLC. "The new PFM water-blocking gel can be removed so easily from both optical fibers and hands that the cable offers the comparable advantages of an 'all-dry' design, minus the many concerns associated with an 'all-dry' cable."

More information about the new enhanced loose fiber cable design is available on the Superior Essex Communications LLC website at www2.superioressex.com .

About Superior Essex Inc.

Superior Essex Inc. is a worldwide leader in the development, manufacture and supply of a wide range of wire, cable and accessory products. Through its Superior Essex Communications and Essex Group (magnet wire) businesses, Superior Essex provides a broad portfolio of communications wire and cable products to telephone companies, distributors and system integrators and magnet wire for motors, transformers, generators and electrical controls. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Superior Essex operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, United Kingdom and Mexico. Additional information can be found on the Company's web site at http://www.superioressex.com/ .

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