IO – Earth is currently facing a climate emergency. Governments and corporations are under increasing pressure to reduce emissions in the effort to create a sustainable world. On the other hand, technology changes are accelerating faster than ever, in line with advances in digitization. Lighting contributes to the two problems in a few surprising ways. Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world’s lighting leader, continues to deliver breakthroughs, not only in lighting innovation but also in producing by leveraging 3D printing technology.
“Energy contributes 60% of greenhouse gas emissions, and the world asks companies to help tackle this,” commented Rami Hajjar, Signify Indonesia Country Leader. “Many companies are committed to the circular economy, and 3D-printed luminaries are our intake to reducing our carbon footprint, not only for ourselves—but also our customers,” he added.
3D PRINTED
Signify is the first major lighting manufacturer to produce 3D-printed luminaires on an industrial scale. The company has perfected highly-flexible and more sustainable manufacturing processes, using polycarbonate feedstock that is 100% recyclable, allowing luminaires to be custom designed or tailored exactly to customer requirements and recycled at end of life, thus supporting a circular economy.
Signify’s investment in 3D printing further illustrates the Company’s commitment to responsible consumption and production (SDG12) with products that can be reprinted, renewed, reused, or recycled. This is a key element to Signify’s commitment to doubling its circular revenue to 32% in 2025, as part of the “Brighter Lives, Better World 2025” sustainable program that the company launched in September 2020.
Generally, the production of 3D printed luminaries (excluding electronics and optics) has a 47% lower carbon footprint than conventionally-produced metal luminaries. With 3D printing luminaries, Signify can reuse all raw materials, resulting in very little waste and creating a completely environmentally-friendly product life cycle. This service saves time, energy,
production waste, packaging, and transportation. By keeping production close to urban areas, companies can reduce their carbon footprint even further.
The material used for 3D printed luminaires is two-thirds of the weight of conventional luminaires, which translates to 35% savings in carbon emissions during shipping and less fuel used during transport. Due to the lightweight polycarbonate, less energy (27% reduction) is consumed during the end of its life to be shredded into small pieces. In total, Signify can reduce 75% of its carbon footprint on material supply and production, transportation, and end of life, when combined.
A series of successful 3D printed luminaires range from Albert Heijn, a Dutch supermarket chain to M&S (Marks and Spencer), a British retail store. The fresh food area at Albert Heijn has been specially designed, tested, and manufactured in just 3 months, and the color of decorative chandeliers can be easily changed without cre-
ating waste. Meanwhile, M&S has installed 11,000 3D printed luminaries at their UK stores, including London, Manchester, Belfast as well as Dublin and Cork in Ireland. The project aims to improve store performance and generate significant energy savings while focusing on more sustainable technology in its stores. The products are measured to fit perfectly into existing light fittings, so they can continue to use the current ceiling surface.
“Indonesia is the third country outside Europe, after America and India, where we offer this service. We are very pleased to be able to provide new, sustainable products for our customers in Indonesia, as well as help them reduce their carbon footprint, “concluded Rami.
3D printing paved the way for more innovative luminaire designs, with more complex shapes and colors. Customers can easily customize their luminaries, using the online configurator at the Philips lighting shop, while businesses can contact a registered sales representative.