Amid persistently high and volatile international copper prices and geopolitical supply chain risks, the world's top five cable manufacturers, including Nexans, Prysmian, and Zhongtian Technology, announced a joint $2 billion investment to build the world's first "Copper-Aluminum Composite Conductor" mega-factory in the UAE. The technology involves coating an aluminum core with a nanoscale copper layer, maintaining 90% conductivity while reducing conductor material costs by 40% and weight by 30%. The new plant is scheduled to begin operations in 2027, with an annual capacity sufficient to meet 10% of global high-voltage cable demand.