In a world powered by seamless digital experiences, connectivity has emerged as the fourth utility—as essential to modern life as electricity, water, and gas. It enables everything from smart cities to remote work, autonomous vehicles to cloud computing. Yet behind the scenes, the silent enabler of this revolution isn’t just the fiber or copper—it’s the materials that protect, insulate, and extend the life of the cables that carry our data.
At Teknor Apex, we’ve spent decades creating advanced polymer compounds for wire and cable applications. Now, as global demand for data soars, we’re doubling down on innovation to support the infrastructure that keeps it all connected.
Why Connectivity is the 4th Utility
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital adoption worldwide. What was once “nice to have”—streaming video, online learning, remote collaboration—became mandatory. This shift pushed data networks to their limits and permanently elevated their role in society.
According to the UN, broadband is now considered a basic human right in many countries. Infrastructure bills, like the U.S. Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, treat internet access as critical infrastructure.
Just like roads or power lines, data cables must be built to last, endure harsh environments, and comply with strict safety and sustainability standards. And that’s where material science comes in.
The Materials Behind the Infrastructure
Data doesn’t move in a vacuum. It travels through fiber optic cables, hybrid power + data assemblies, and hundreds of miles of underground and overhead cabling. Each of these systems depends on high-performance compounds that offer:
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