Sterlite, Tongguang joint venture starts fiber production

Jiangsu Sterlite Tongguang Fiber Co. Ltd. (JSTFCL), a joint venture of Indian fiber manufacturer Sterlite Technologies Ltd. and Chinese fiber-optic cable provider Jiangsu Tongguang Communication Co. Ltd. (TGCl), has begun to produce optical fiber itself at its facility in Haimen, Jiangsu Province, China.

The factory, which the JV parents invested $25 million to set up, is capable of manufacturing 5 million km of fiber annually and employs 90 people. It will target fiber-optic requirements in China, which the partners say amounts to more than 100 million km a year.

The two companies created the JV in 2010, with Sterlite the majority partner at 75% (see "Sterlite Technologies, Tongguang Communication to form joint venture for optical fiber in China"). A bigger presence in China is one reason Sterlite is participating in the venture. TGCl’s fiber cable manufacturing expertise and market reach in China should help achieve that goal, the companies believe.

"This joint venture leverages the strengths of two great companies to offer high-quality and competitive optical fiber to our China customers," said Pravin Agarwal, whole-time director at Sterlite. "Additionally, it strategically positions both companies for global growth in the telecommunications segment."

"This partnership combines the expertise of both companies to become a technology leader for the global market," said Tang Jinming, chairman of Jiangsu Tongguang Communication. "We look forward to continued cooperation and innovation with Sterlite to provide our customers the best in class products at competitive prices."

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