Currently, with the continuous advancement of global fiber optic broadband construction, fiber optic coatings are playing an increasingly important role in high-speed optical networks and FTTH deployment. It can be said that without high-quality fiber optic coatings, it would be difficult to build superior fiber optic network. First, fiber optic coatings crucial for the high quality and reliability of fiber optic networks; at the same time, they are essential for realizing new fiber optic designs. Additionally, energy conservation and environmental protection are becoming focal points for fiber optic manufacturers and the entire industry. More new market demands are calling for another innovation in fiber optic coating technology.

In response, Pratik Shah, Global Market and Technology Director of DSM Fiber Optic Materials, and Zhao Jiandong, Technology Director for Asia Pacific and Russia at DSM Fiber Optic Materials, shared with us the latest achievements of DSM in fiber optic coating technology innovation during an exclusive interview with C114.

FTTx Construction Accelerating: Coatings Take on a Key Role

With the continuous explosive growth of data traffic, global operators are upgrading mobile broadband and fixed broadband networks to meet users' ever-increasing bandwidth demands. Fiber optic networks form the foundation of all high-speed interconnected networks and are critical to the quality of 4G and FTTH services.

As global fiber optic network construction accelerates further, the role of fiber optic coatings is becoming increasingly important. Zhao Jiandong pointed out that fiber optic coatings are vital for the high quality and reliability of fiber optic networks. On one hand, they protect fibers during long-distance deployment under special environmental conditions; on the other hand, they ensure long-term, reliable signal transmission amid growing bandwidth demands, helping maintain high-speed signal transmission in fibers and reducing signal interruptions or distortions. Moreover, fiber optic coatings are closely related to many fiber performance aspects, such as microbending performance, bending characteristics, attenuation, low-temperature performance, strength, splicing characteristics, and service life.

In the telecommunications market, optic coatings have become an essential component of modern high-speed fiber optic networks. "DSM is the founder and global leader in the fiber optic coating industry," Zhao Jiandong explained. As early as the 1970s, DSM invented the first generation of UV-curable fiber optic coatings, making large-scale production and application of optical fibers possible. Compared to quick-drying paints and heat-curable coatings, UV-curable fiber optic coatings increase drawing speed, improve production efficiency, reduce fiber and cable costs, enhance fiber strength, improve microbending resistance, and extend durability.

Over the past 40-plus years, DSM has pursued technological innovation, developing dozens of new fiber optic coating products and driving continuous progress in fiber optic coating technology. For example, in the 1980s, DSM developed loose tube fiber optic coatings; in the 1990s, it developed multimode fiber coatings and fiber ribbon materials; in the early 2000s, it introduced tight buffer fiber coatings and high-speed coatings; and in 2009, DSM launched a new generation of microbend-resistant fiber coatings specifically designed for today's high-speed broadband networks.

Looking solely at fiber drawing speed, over 40 years of development, it has increased from an initial 1-2 meters per second to the current maximum of 42 meters per second. "To date, DSM is also the only fiber optic coating supplier in the world actively researching next-generation coating technologies to meet the industry's highest network performance requirements," Zhao Jiandong said.

Innovation in Fiber Opt Coating Technology: Four Major Advantages of the New Generation DeSolite® Supercoatings

Today, DSM remains a leader in fiber optic technology innovation, offering a series of patented, high-performance fiber optic coating products through continuous innovation. According to reports, at the International Wire and Cable Symposium (IWCS) held in November 2014, DSM announced the launch of its next-generation fiber optic coating technology, DeSolite® Supercoatings.

Zhao Jiandong explained that building on the excellent microbending performance of the first-generation DeSolite® Supercoatings, this new product further optimizes performance by achieving higher fiber dynamic fatigue parameters, thereby extending fiber service life. Additionally, this coating series offers superior process adaptability and stability, supporting high-speed drawing under wet-on-dry (WOD) and wet-on-wet (WOW) processes in fiber drawing towers. The new-generation DeSolite® Supercoatings continuously enhance the performance of fibers and networks used in extreme environments and support a smooth transition to future LED green curing technology.

The advantages of the new-generation fiber optic coating technology DeSolite® Supercoatings include: first, ultra-low microbending loss, optimizing ULL/LEA fiber performance; second, high Nd value, extending the lifespan of G. bend-resistant fibers; third, excellent environmental aging characteristics, ensuring fiber use for over 25 years; and fourth, support for high-speed and large-preform drawing, improving fiber production efficiency.