Molex, global industry experts in electronics and connectivity technologies, has entered into a long-term supply agreement with Prysmian, global experts in cable and fiber-optic technologies, to expand the availability of optical cable for data center applications.  Under the agreement, Prysmian will supply optical cables to Molex for a period of up to 10 years. The companies are seeking to address growing demand for fiber connectivity as hyperscale and artificial intelligence data centers increase their computing capacity and network density.  The agreement will support the expansion of optical cable and fiber production at Prysmian facilities in the United States and Europe.

The planned capacity increase will include the glass preform stage used in optical fiber production. Prysmian expects the investment to more than double its U.S. fiber capacity. The expansion is also expected to create more than 1,000 jobs worldwide, including approximately 600 positions at U.S. manufacturing sites. The companies intend to provide Molex customers with greater access to domestically manufactured fiber and optical cable. The additional capacity is expected to support rapidly scheduled data center construction and expansion projects while improving supply continuity and lead-time reliability.

“We’re excited about this long-term agreement with Prysmian because it enables us to better support our mutual customers,” said Joe Nelligan, CEO of Molex. “For Molex, this represents a strategic expansion in the U.S., bringing increased capacity to support the growing demand for data center solutions with the quality and reliability our customers expect.”

Components Source Network editorial stock photo of fiber-optic cables illustrating data center connectivity, featured in Electronics Industry Monthly

Components Source Network editorial stock photo illustrating fiber-optic connectivity for high-density data center and AI infrastructure applications. Image featured in Electronics Industry Monthly.

AI computing architectures are increasing the volume and speed of data moving between servers, switches and other data center equipment. This is driving demand for higher-density fiber-optic connections capable of supporting large-scale computing clusters and rapidly expanding digital infrastructure. By combining Molex’s data center connectivity and fiber cable assembly expertise with Prysmian’s optical fiber and cable manufacturing capabilities, the companies aim to provide customers with greater sourcing flexibility. The expanded supply base is also intended to reduce dependence on individual production regions and improve resilience as data center construction accelerates.

Prysmian separately disclosed that the agreement could be worth up to €5.5 billion and includes a €550 million upfront payment. The company plans to invest €1.25 billion through 2031 to increase its optical cable and fiber capacity in the United States and Europe. The agreement forms part of Molex’s wider strategy to increase the global supply of fiber cable solutions for data center customers. It also expands Prysmian’s participation in connectivity systems deployed within data centers, complementing its existing capabilities in data center energy and digital infrastructure.

About Molex

Headquartered in Lisle, Illinois, Molex is a global electronics and connectivity company with more than 80 years of experience developing interconnect technologies for complex electronic, electrical and fiber-optic systems. Its capabilities include connectors, cable assemblies, antennas, optical connectivity, high-speed data solutions, power technologies and other components used to transmit power, signals and data.  Molex serves customers across the data center, cloud computing, telecommunications, automotive, consumer electronics, aerospace and defense, industrial automation, transportation, medical technology and healthcare markets. Its engineering, manufacturing, sales and logistics operations extend across more than 40 countries, supporting customers from product development and prototyping through large-scale production. The broader Molex organization also includes specialized businesses serving medical and pharmaceutical applications, aerospace and space systems, advanced electronic packaging, industrial digitalization and field-programmable gate array technologies. Molex has operated as a Koch company since its acquisition by Koch Industries in 2013. For more information, please click here.

About Prysmian

Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Prysmian is a global provider of cable and connectivity technologies supporting energy infrastructure, electrification and digital communications. The company develops and manufactures optical fiber, telecommunications cable, submarine and underground transmission systems, power distribution cable, industrial cable and connectivity solutions for data centers and communications networks. Prysmian serves utilities, telecommunications providers, data center operators, transportation organizations, industrial manufacturers and infrastructure developers. Its operations span more than 50 countries and include 109 manufacturing plants, 30 research and development centers and approximately 34,000 employees worldwide. The company organizes its activities across transmission, power grid, electrification and digital-solutions markets, combining cable manufacturing with engineering, installation, network monitoring and related services. Prysmian is publicly traded on the Milan Stock Exchange and has been included in the FTSE MIB Index since 2007. To learn more, please click here.

Source: Molex

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Molly Bakewell Chamberlin
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