Sterlite enhances optical fiber capacity

PUNE, INDIA: Sterlite Technologies Limited, a provider of transmission solutions for the telecom and power industries, recently announced that its Board of Directors has approved the enhancement of the company’s optical fiber annual manufacturing capacity to 20 Million-km, which would position Sterlite amongst the Top 3 manufacturers globally.

Sterlite’s current facility of 6 Million-Km is already under expansion to 12 Million-Km, which would get established in the current fiscal. The enhanced capacity of 20 Million-Km that would be functional by 2011, would require a Capex outlay of Rs. 250 Crores (US$ 52 Million), said a press release.

The expanded facility would be capable of manufacturing the company’s existing range of optical fiber products, as well as have the intrinsic capability to manufacture new products that would cater to high bandwidth applications required by global markets, it added.

The expansion would be done by through a combination of brown-field expansion at its existing facility in Aurangabad, and a green-field setup at a location that would soon be finalized.

Dr Anand Agarwal, CEO and director, Sterlite Technologies said, “Sterlite continues to be bullish on the optical fiber industry in Asia and globally. We would continue to leverage our global customer relationships and global presence, as well as the unique knowledge, expertise and infrastructural base created over the last 15 years in this business, to enhance our global market share in the growing optical fiber market.”