2026 SMM (11th) Conductor & Cable Industry Exhibition and Electrical Materials Industry Annual Conference
November 5-6, 2026
Yixing Taodu Peninsula Hotel, Jiangsu
Scan the QR code to reserve your seat
As AI computing power expands at an exponential rate, an "invisible artery" is coming under unprecedented pressure.
From the grassland computing clusters in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia, to the green data centers on the Qinghai Plateau, and on to the intelligent computing centers in the old industrial bases of Northeast China, a new map of China's computing power—spanning east to west and north to south—is rapidly taking shape.
Top-tier players such as Huawei, Alibaba, Tencent, and Kuaishou are making dense deployments, and orders for high-power data center projects are already lining up before construction even begins. Behind this infrastructure boom, a critical bottleneck is quietly emerging:optical fiber and cable are becoming one of the most scarce "strategic materials" of the AI era.
A 180 million fiber-km gap: the optical fiber industry enters a period of "rising volume and prices"
According to CRU, an optical fiber and cable research firm,global optical fiber and cable demand will reach 577 million fiber-km in 2026, while effective supply is only 397 million fiber-km,leaving a supply-demand gap of 180 million fiber-km.
But this is not a simple numbers game. Emerging applications such as AI data centers and drones continue to divert capacity, and high-value-added products like G.657.A2 still exert a significant crowding-out effect on production lines. Coupled with an upstream optical fiber preform expansion cycle of 1.5 to 2 years, the supply of G.652.D fiber can no longer keep up with demand. Production lines at major global optical fiber producers are currently running at high utilization, and delivery cycles for some high-end fibers have stretched to more than six months, making the short-term capacity gap difficult to close.
The market's reaction has been dramatic. From January to April this year, China's optical fiber export value rose 200.05% YoY, with March alone reaching $245 million in exports—up 263.84% YoY—and the average export price up 204.32% YoY. Driven by undersupply, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported thatprofits in the optical fiber manufacturing industry rose 410.4% YoY in H1.
From "communication pipeline" to "computing artery," the role of optical fiber is undergoing a fundamental transformation.
From "usable" to "optimal": AI computing power poses entirely new demands on optical fiber
If the traditional communications era required optical fiber to "transmit far and transmit steadily," the AI computing era demands that it "transmit fast, transmit more, and transmit efficiently."
Wang Chaoyang, General Manager of Alibaba Cloud Global Data Centers, once said, "A 100,000-card cluster requires hundreds of thousands of kilometers of optical fiber." China produces 600 million kilometers of optical fiber annually, yet bottlenecks still emerge in the face of hyperscale computing clusters.
Behind this lie three challenges that AI computing power poses to optical communication infrastructure.
First, the exponential leap in bandwidth. As 400Gbps/800Gbps backbone transmission networks accelerate their construction, single-fiber transmission capacity is advancing from Tbit-level to Pbit-level, placing unprecedented demands on fiber bandwidth performance.
Second, the extreme compression of latency. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has explicitly proposed achieving a coverage rate of no less than 70% for a 1-millisecond latency circle in metropolitan computing by 2027. This means fiber networks must be not only "wide" but also "short"—every microsecond of optimization in physical distance and transmission latency directly affects AI training efficiency.
Third, the continuous climb in density. From thousand-card clusters to ten-thousand-card clusters, and then to hundred-thousand-card clusters, cabinet power density has jumped from tens of kilowatts to the hundred-kilowatt level. Fiber cabling density and connector counts are growing geometrically, placing entirely new demands on the integration and modular design of optical cables.
As the computing power race enters the "ten-thousand-card era," what kind of technological upgrades does the optical fiber and cable industry truly need? Next-generation high-capacity communication fibers, hollow-core fibers, space-division multiplexing fibers... which technology routes will truly carry the banner of AI computing power?
The forum focuses on
analysis of development trends in the AI computing power optical fiber and cable industry
Speaker: Chen Wei
Doctoral Supervisor/Professor/Director of the Optical Fiber Institute, Shanghai University
-
How much incremental demand for optical fiber will AI computing power bring?
Focusing on AI data center and computing network construction, this session analyzes the growth space and structural changes in optical fiber and cable demand.
-
How will next-generation fiber technologies evolve?
Centering on high-speed, high-capacity communication needs, this session explores fiber technology upgrades and product evolution directions.
-
Can new technologies such as hollow-core fibers open up new industrial space?
Focusing on cutting-edge technologies, this session analyzes technological breakthroughs and industrialisation prospects.
-
What new round of reshuffling will the optical fiber and cable industry chain face?
From the dimensions of supply-demand patterns, technological upgrades, and market competition, this session assesses new development trends in the industry chain in the AI era.
The growth of AI computing power ultimately still needs to translate into real demand for optical fiber, optical cables, and optical connections. What truly deserves the industry chain's attention is not just "how hot AI is," but rather: how much quantifiable optical fiber growth will this wave of computing power infrastructure actually bring? And how will next-generation optical fiber technology reshape the industry's competitive landscape?
From demand estimation, to technology roadmaps, to industrialisation and implementation—as AI computing power enters the infrastructure era, what new opportunities will emerge for the optical fiber and cable industry chain?
Register Now to Secure Your Seat
2026
Full Conference Agenda
01 November 5 (Thursday) Morning
09:00-09:10Conductor Wire and Cable Industry Distribution Map Launch
-
2027 China Wire and Cable Industry Distribution Map
-
2027 China Wire and Cable Polymer Materials Industry Distribution Map
-
2026 China Magnet Wire Industry Distribution Map
09:10-09:25 SMM Information Services Introduction
Guest speaker: Lv Jiale, Key Account Manager, Data Department, SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd.
09:25-09:45 Technology and Data Driving, Trade and Finance Integration, Empowering a New Ecosystem for the Nonferrous Metals Industry
Guest speaker: Yang Xiaolou, Vice President, SMM Trading Center Co., Ltd.
09:45-11:40 Copper and Aluminum Conductor Wire and Cable Industry Networking & Sharing Session
-
800+ wire and cable enterprises
-
Over 10 million mt of copper and aluminum conductor demand
-
Dedicated 1-on-1 precision demand matching meetings
11:40-12:00 Exhibition Tour
12:00-13:00 Buffet Lunch
02 November 5 (Thursday) Morning
09:30-12:00
Copper and Aluminum Conductor Industry CEO Closed-door Meeting
03 November 5 (Thursday) Afternoon
13:30-13:45 Conference Opening Remarks
Guest speakers:
Jiang Qiyan, General Manager, Changzhou Tongtai Gaodao New Materials Co., Ltd.
Zhou Bo, Executive Vice President, SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd.
13:45-14:45 Global Macro and Market Outlook
Guest speaker: Wu Zhaoyin, Chief Investment Officer and Director of Research Institute, Soochow Futures Co., Ltd.
14:45-15:30 The Logic Behind Copper and Aluminum Price Changes Under the Combined Influence of Macro and Fundamentals
-
The linkage between macroeconomic conditions and copper and aluminum prices
-
Fundamental data analysis of the copper and aluminum industries
-
Future price trend forecasts for copper and aluminum
Guest speaker: Geng Zhiyao, Senior Manager, Industry Research Department, SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd.
15:30-15:55 Finance Empowers Conductor Wire and Cable Enterprises to Reduce Costs and Increase Profits
-
The dilemma of high costs and low profits for wire and cable enterprises
-
Financial instruments help enterprises break through
-
Professional risk management to safeguard the real economy
Guest speaker: Shen Liang, General Manager of Jiangsu Branch, Soochow Futures Co., Ltd.
15:55-16:05 Tea Break
16:05-16:35 Seizing AI Computing Power Infrastructure Dividends—Global Data Center Copper-Based Material Demand Estimation and Development Trends
-
AI new installations forecast
-
Framework analysis of copper usage for AI
-
Comparison of copper & aluminum & tin materials for AI
-
In-depth analysis of each segment
Guest speaker: Wang Xinyang, Senior Manager, Industry Research Department, SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd.
16:35-17:00 New Opportunities and Challenges for Chinese Wire and Cable Enterprises Going Global Amid Global Industry Chain Restructuring
-
What changes have occurred in market demand in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America against the backdrop of global manufacturing relocation
-
Should Chinese wire and cable enterprises going global "sell products" or "build factories"
-
What thresholds need to be crossed for overseas certification, tender and bid processes, and localised operations
-
How to build overseas supply chains and transition from export trade to local manufacturing
-
How can Chinese wire and cable enterprises enhance international competitiveness amid changes in the global trade environment
Guest speakers (TBD): Hengtong Group Co., Ltd., Zhongtian Technology Group Co., Ltd.
17:00-17:30 Analysis of Overseas EPC Project Procurement Systems—How Chinese Wire and Cable Enterprises Can Enter International Supplier Lists
-
What is the procurement process for international EPC projects
-
How to enter the supplier systems of international engineering companies
-
What certifications are required for overseas projects
-
How can Chinese enterprises shift from "price advantage" to "comprehensive competitive advantage"
Guest speakers (TBD): China Energy Engineering Group, PowerChina International Group
17:30-18:20 Exhibition Visit
04 November 5 (Thursday) Evening
18:20-20:00 Appreciation Dinner—Tongtai Night
05 November 6 (Friday) Morning
[Conductor Materials Development Forum]
09:00-09:30 K-Shaped Divergence in Infrastructure Investment Trends Outlook
-
Infrastructure investment
-
Data center construction
-
Latest changes in the real estate industry
-
Power investment trends
Guest speaker: Zhang Zuoao, Chief Macro Analyst, Hongze Research
09:30-10:00 Latest Advances in High-Strength High-Conductivity Copper Alloys
-
Upgrade directions for copper alloys
-
Copper and copper-based composite materials for AI and new energy cooling systems
-
Research and development trends of copper-based alloy materials
Guest speaker: Li Zhou, Dean, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University
10:00-10:30 The AI Computing Power Era: Connection and Cooling Material Innovation Drives Copper Industry Value Upgrade
-
High-speed interconnection in AI servers drives growth in demand for high-end copper conductors
-
New opportunities for copper and aluminum conductors from data center power supply and distribution upgrades
-
Liquid cooling drives innovation in copper semis and thermal management materials
-
Development trends of high-speed connectors, copper cables, and new-type conductor materials
Guest speakers (TBD): SMM Consulting Team
10:30-11:00 High-Voltage and Flexible HVDC Insulation Material Technology Development
-
Development trends of ultra-high-voltage cable insulation materials
-
Upgrade directions for high-performance XLPE insulation
-
Long-life insulation materials and localisation progress
-
New-type cross-linked polyolefin (XLPO) technology
Guest speakers (TBD): China Electric Power Research Institute Co., Ltd., School of Electrical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University
11:00-11:30 Analysis of AI Computing Power Optical Fiber and Cable Industry Development Trends
Guest speaker: Chen Wei, Doctoral Supervisor/Professor/Director of Optical Fiber Research Institute, Shanghai University
11:30-12:00 The AI Computing Power Era—Development Trends of High-Efficiency Motors and Magnet Wire Materials
-
What new demands will AI data centers bring
-
How to select magnet wire for high-speed motors
-
Development directions of high-conductivity copper materials
-
Development of high-temperature insulation
Guest speakers (TBD): Envicool, Vertiv, Schneider Electric
12:00-13:00 Buffet Lunch
06 November 6 (Friday) Morning
[Copper Foil Transformer Forum]
09:00-09:30 Technical Pathways and Market Analysis for the Future Development of Electrolytic Copper Foil
Guest speaker: Chen Yubi, President, Nuode New Materials Co., Ltd.
09:30-10:00 From "Voltage Transformation" to "Intelligent Transformation": Solid-State Transformers Usher in a New Era for the Energy Internet
Guest speakers (TBD): Xi'an Jiaotong University/Shanghai Jiao Tong University/North China Electric Power University
10:00-10:30 New Power Systems: Main Grid Foundation, Distribution Network Intelligence—A New Energy Landscape Driven by Dual Engines
Guest speakers (TBD): Sifang Electric/East Electronics/CSG Smart Science & Technology
10:30-11:00 Deep Integration of Intelligence and Power: AI Is Rewriting the "Underlying Code" of Industry
Guest speakers (TBD): ShanghaiTech University/Southeast University/Nanchang University/State Grid Henan Electric Power Company Electric Power Research Institute
11:00-11:30 Restructuring the Global Power Supply Chain: The Expedition and Discourse Power Reshaping of Chinese Power Equipment
Guest speakers (TBD): XD Electric/TBEA/Taikai
07 November 6 (Friday) Morning
09:30-11:30 Electrical Materials Review Committee Working Meeting
08 November 6 (Friday) Afternoon
13:00-17:00 Company Tour
-
Changzhou Tongtai Gaodao New Materials Co., Ltd.
-
Far East Cable Co., Ltd. (TBD)
-
Wuxi Jiangnan Cable Co., Ltd. (TBD)
-
SK Hynix Semiconductor (China) Co., Ltd. (TBD)
Register Now Conference Inquiries
Scan the QR Code to Register and Secure Your Seat
