PolyOne Introduces Advanced ECCOH Grades for High‑Performance Optical Fiber Cable Jacketing

PolyOne Corp. of Avon Lake, Ohio, has unveiled two new ECCOH formulations—ECCOH LSFOH 6153 UV and ECCOH 6154 UV—that deliver superior chemical resistance and enhanced manufacturing efficiency for optical fiber cable (OFC) applications.

These crosslinkable polyolefin grades enable processing speeds of up to 1,000 m/min (3,280.84 ft/min) while operating at a lower melting point than traditional PBT jacketing. The result is faster throughput, reduced energy consumption, and the ability to use thinner walls without compromising performance. Additionally, the materials are readily colorable, simplifying customization for end‑users.

Designed primarily for gel‑filled loose‑tube, micro‑module, and tight‑buffered configurations, the new grades perform reliably in both dry and wet environments. They exhibit excellent chemical and UV resistance and are compatible with a broad range of filling compounds and gels used to protect optical fibers. As part of PolyOne’s low‑smoke, fume, zero‑halogen portfolio, these ECCOH variants address applications where smoke mitigation is critical—such as high‑speed communication and data cables.

Quote from Holger Kronimus, PolyOne’s General Manager of Specialty Engineered Materials:

“As the optical fiber cable market continues to grow, we are committed to providing innovative material solutions that help customers meet their challenges. With improved processability, reduced energy use, and lower minimum wall thickness, these new materials are an ideal alternative to PBT in gel‑filled stranded loose‑tube optical fiber applications.”