Twenty Years of Collaboration Between CTC Global and Lamifil: How ACCC® Conductor Became an Established Technology in the Power Industry
What began with an introduction between CTC Global and Lamifil in 2004 has grown into a partnership spanning more than two decades. Over that time, the ACCC® Conductor has evolved from an emerging technology into one of the world’s most widely deployed HTLS conductors, with more than 200,000 kilometers installed globally.
The partnership’s success has been built on complementary strengths: CTC Global’s expertise in composite materials and conductor innovation combined with Lamifil’s deep manufacturing experience and practical understanding of grid applications.
In an industry where technologies, markets and suppliers are constantly changing, a partnership this long-lasting and successful is truly exceptional.
From First Production to a Dedicated Product Line
Lamifil produced its first ACCC® Conductor in 2005. At the time, CTC Global managed the technology’s global commercialization, enabling Lamifil-manufactured conductors to be deployed in pioneering projects in key international markets like the United States and China. Many of these early conductors remain in service today, providing a long-term record of field performance.
In 2006, Lamifil officially added ACCC® Conductors to its product portfolio and began developing and selling projects directly. At the same time, Lamifil and CTC Global launched a coordinated business development effort across Europe, visiting transmission system operators across the continent and introducing the ACCC® technology through technical presentations, workshops, training programs and project support.
European Breakthrough and Global Expansion
The first European installations of Lamifil-manufactured ACCC® Conductors took place in 2008. Beginning in 2010, the technology was deployed in pilot projects on 380 kV transmission lines using bundled conductor configurations, marking an important milestone demonstrating that the ACCC® Conductor could provide a reliable solution at the highest transmission voltage levels.
In the years that followed, transmission and distribution system operators across Europe launched additional trial and demonstration projects, helping to pave the way for broader adoption as utilities looked to increase transmission capacity, relieve congestion and integrate growing volumes of renewable energy.
Lamifil also continued to supply projects worldwide. By 2016, Lamifil-manufactured ACCC® Conductors had been installed on every continent except Antarctica, with projects across North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania. This global footprint demonstrated the technology’s versatility and proven performance across diverse operating environments as well as CTC Global and Lamifil’s strong position in the international power industry.
Greater Capacity on Existing Infrastructure
The success of the ACCC® Conductor technology comes from its fundamental design developed by CTC Global that combines a lightweight, ultra-high-strength carbon fiber composite core with fully annealed trapezoidal aluminum strands. Because the composite core is significantly lighter than a conventional steel core, the conductor can carry more aluminum at the same diameter without added weight. This results in substantially higher current-carrying capacity, lower line losses and reduced thermal sag compared with conventional ACSR conductors. For utilities, this means more power can be delivered over existing transmission corridors while minimizing the need for costly new infrastructure.
Complementary Expertise Driving Success
A key factor behind the growth of the ACCC® Conductor has been the close technical collaboration between CTC Global and Lamifil. As the developer of the technology, CTC Global contributed deep expertise in composite materials, including carbon fiber, glass fiber, resin chemistry and core design. Lamifil complemented that expertise with extensive knowledge of the design, manufacturing and application of electrical conductors. Drawing on its expertise in both conventional conductors and other high-temperature low-sag (HTLS) technologies, Lamifil brought valuable insight into conductor installation, stringing practices, accessory integration, sag performance, and long-term reliability under a wide range of operating and environmental conditions.
This combination of advanced materials science, manufacturing excellence and real-world field experience helped further optimize ACCC® Conductor technology and support its implementation by grid operators around the world.
A Growing Network of Manufacturing Partners
As demand for ACCC® Conductor expanded globally, CTC Global established a network of carefully selected manufacturing partners across key markets. This approach enabled more localized production, greater responsiveness to regional requirements, and accelerated deployment worldwide. Within this network, Lamifil has remained one of CTC Global’s longest standing and most experienced ACCC® Conductor manufacturing partners.
Today, the ACCC® Conductor is one of the most successful and widely adopted HTLS technologies in the world, with more than 200,000 kilometers of installed conductor across thousands of projects.
A Partnership That Continues to Deliver
For Lamifil and CTC Global, this evolution is the result of more than twenty years of joint innovation, technical collaboration, commercial development and mutual trust. What began with initial discussions in 2004 has grown into a lasting partnership that has contributed to the modernization of power grids worldwide. As the energy transition accelerates and demand for electricity continues to rise, that collaboration remains as relevant as ever.