Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. Inside Maillefer’s R&D Centers, collaboration turns ideas into breakthroughs — where customers, materials, and expertise converge.
It’s been a decade since we began actively promoting our R&D Centers, hosting hundreds of customer visits from a full range of wire, cable, pipe, and tube extrusion manufacturing environments. Our goal is to provide a unique development platform through collaboration.
Maillefer operates R&D Centers in Finland and Switzerland. We establish collaborative programs both within the Davis-Standard group and with key material suppliers. Our two centers are equipped with various systems for joint innovation, benefiting customers with shared progress.
We’ve supported the transition from AC- to DC-grade XLPE power cables, working with suppliers to match processes with material demands. Polypropylene as an alternative to XLPE insulation is also a focus, with a new MV PP catenary line launching in 2026. Our recent addition of high-temperature extrusion capabilities supports the evolving needs of electric vehicle cables and specialized materials like PEEK, with the support of material suppliers.
The pipe industry is evolving with new PE grades and medical/ automotive compounds. We’re also testing materials like Polyamides, Polyurethanes, and Thermoplastic Elastomers, driving ongoing innovation across sectors. As properties and technologies evolve, both sectors share a common thread in their dedication to staying at the forefront of material advancements, ensuring resilience and relevance in a rapidly changing landscape.
Collaboration is key to our innovation strategy, optimizing R&D costs and driving progress by sharing resources with partners. This joint effort accelerates innovation, improving top-line performance and ensuring continued success.
By linking process studies with real-time measurements, we create a continuous cycle of innovation. Our R&D centers foster direct collaboration with customers and suppliers to refine production processes and improve product quality. The combination of expertise in cable-making, machine-building, and material science enables cutting edge, smart manufacturing solutions, including AI-driven improvements in material efficiency and production speed.
Our R&D centers are open to customers, material suppliers, and stakeholders for hands-on exploration of production limits. With in-house lab facilities, we streamline the testing and analysis process, spiraling rapid innovation and success.
Mikko Lahti
Director, R&D
mikko.lahti@maillefer.net