Technology, research and customisation for the cable industry

Giorgio Cabrini, Vice President High Performance Compounding – HEXPOL

1. Can you give us an overview of the company and Mesgo Asia’s role within the HPC group?

Mesgo Asia was established in 2015 and since 2018 has been acquired by Hexpol AB, a Swedish multinational with more than 50 plants worldwide, with a consolidated turnover in 2023 of around €2 billion.
Within Hexpol AB, the ‘Mesgo group’ has been renamed High Performance Compounding, and comprises a total of 6 production activities, 4 of which are in Italy, 1 in Poland and 1 in Turkey.
The scope of our business is the production of thermoset compounds, including silicones and fluoroelastomers, additives and master colours to be used both for thermoset and thermoplastic elastomers.

2. What is the added value of the silicone compounds developed by Mesgo for the cable industry?

First of all, almost 30 years of experience, a technical and R&D team using the best available equipment, and an almost obsessive attention to customer needs, both in terms of customisation and service.
Furthermore, by using raw materials sourced from different global suppliers, we are always able not only to choose the best and most suitable polymers for formulations, but also to ensure supply chain continuity in case of disruption.

3. What are the main challenges and trends in the cable industry and how does Mesgo respond to these needs?

We believe that today the real challenge in the cabling sector is to ensure the integrity of the operation of safety systems (fire protection systems, emergency exits) in installations with a large number of users (offices, schools, hospitals, airports, tunnels, trains, etc.).
Mesgo’s silicone division has reliable proven solutions for various types of cable insulation used in these applications.

4. How does research and development contribute to the innovation of Mesgo’s silicone compounds?

Thanks to our R&D Centre, located at the Italian site in Gorlago, we are able to test new materials, chemicals, and fillers, in order to create ever better performing compounds that are tested with our instrumentation, while being aware that silicone rubber insulation is only a small part of the cable’s construction complexity.

5. What are the next developments you are working on for the future of silicone cable compounds?

We are always looking for higher-performance solutions, especially for fire resistance, but lately we are also focusing on silicone compounds for wiring in electric cars, with high mechanical characteristics and insulating properties.

6. How does Mesgo’s ability to customise compounds represent a competitive advantage?

In a world that tends to standardise, we have chosen to diversify our offer according to our customers’ purchasing approach: proven, cost-effective and innovative solutions for all those who would like to develop new generations of silicone compounds with us.