Corning, DSM Extend Optical Fiber Deal

Corning Inc. and DSM have signed a multiyear contract that extends their 30+-year relationship in supplying optical fiber products to telecommunications operators.

"The advanced DeSolite coatings that DSM supplies to Corning for the production of our CPC-coated optical fibers are important components in the handling and performance of these products," said Barry Linchuck, division vice president and director of worldwide marketing, Corning Optical Fiber. “When combined with Corning's advanced process technology, DSM's DeSolite® coating formulations help protect the enhanced attributes of our fiber, such as low attenuation and resistance to microbending."

"The ongoing Corning-DSM strategic relationship combines Corning's excellence in optical fiber processing with DSM's excellence in advanced coating formulations, giving network operators confidence they are getting a reliable product manufactured by the world's leading optical fiber producer that is robust enough to 'future-proof' their networks," said Rob Crowell, senior business director functional materials, DSM.

Inferior optical fiber coatings can lead to poor performance in network deployments. DSM's advanced coatings supplied to Corning provide protection against these potential challenges. Designed to be mechanically stripped, these coatings are optimized for many single- and multifiber cable designs, including loose tube, ribbon, slotted-core and tight buffer cables.

Royal DSM N.V. of Heerlen, the Netherlands, is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. DSM Functional Materials operates as a business unit within the Performance Materials cluster of Royal DSM N.V. and develops functional coatings and composite materials.

Corning Inc. of Corning, N.Y., develops and supplies specialty glass and ceramics, including optical fiber, cable, hardware and equipment for telecommunications networks.

For more information, visit: www.dsmfunctionalmaterials.com