Bio Plastics for Luminaires?
Last week I had the opportunity to participate in a very interesting webinar entitled like that ♻️💡 : https://lnkd.in/dhkZm_yb
This topic is becoming an increasingly important element, not only for people associated with lighting industry, this is straightly linked with sustainability and circular approach ♻️. Thank you to Ray Molony (Circular Lighting Report) for great organizing and hosting this meeting and to great speakers Jamie Norris Green (LumiAdd), Mark Shortland (Shoplight Ltd | B Corp™), Julien Vaissieres (Batch.Works) who were willing to share their knowledge and examples experienced in companies.
That was a pleasure to participate in this webinar and panel discussion where I learned a lot, with key takeaways noticed:
✅️ Bio- plastics material might be defined as either bio-based (as many conventional PE, PP), bio-degradable or both, and important is to understand feedstock.
✅️ This kind of material might be useful for 3D printing, and exactly PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) and PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates) as plant polymers look fine for luminaires construction, i.e. housing, cover, bowl.
🌍 The biggest thing about plant polymers versus other materials is low carbon footprint, on PLA example:
- if we compare it to aluminium, PLA is assumed as over 90% lower CO2 emission with bio plastics than aluminium sourced in Europe,
- if we compare it to petrochemical plastics, PLA creates 30-70% less CO2 emission.
🚮 PLA comes to renewable feedstock and its bio-degradable (breakdown in industrial compost environment, PHA will breakdown in any biotype), might be reused or recycled inhouse, same avoiding single use of plastics and avoiding them to end up in the landfill.
✅️ PLA is not to overwrite aluminium (which has better heat dissipation) in all applications and all components, but might be an interesting alternative.
✅️ PHA offers similar durability and shelf life as traditional plastics, but without the detrimental environmental impact.
✅️ Above polymers would be recommended for interior compartment usage (inner parts) or indoor applications (i.e. office, shop spot lighting luminaires).
❌️ Above polymers would not be recommended for external exposure in outdoor applications (i.e. roads and streets lighting), because they do not have elevated UV resistance.
On the other hand, I can also point out interesting solution using bio plastics and there is about application of 3D printing technology in the #PhilipsMyCreation product series by Signify ♻️💡. That offers recycled (post-industrial, post-consumer) and bio-circular materials (ISCC² Plus certified) for indoor applications:
https://lnkd.in/eBKxjHwT
Generally saying this is a ♻️ circular proposal as 3D printing activities, that contributes to 🌍 reducing CO₂ emissions and 🚮 waste eliminating. As example with more details see also the latest Signify project realized for McDonald's with pendant luminaires delivered to our customers:
https://lnkd.in/gmzK5WGH
Coming up on 20 June we have..
Bio Plastics for Luminaires
Do bio-plastics stand up to scrutiny as a material for luminaire housings, components and optics? In this special webinar, our speakers explore plastics made biological substances and look at the technical challenges in using them in the lighting industry.
The panel will look at 3D printing with bioplastics as well as the opportunities with post-consumer plastics.
We'll hear from:
Jamie Norris Green, Founder, LumiAdd
Mark Shortland, Managing Director, Shoplight Ltd | B Corp™
Julien Vaissieres CEO And Founder, Batch.Works
The webinar is chaired by Ray Molony.
As with all Recolight Webinars, they are free to attend, just follow the link to register.
Slides will be shared with all who register, and a recording will be posted on the event page for all who can’t make it.
#bioplastics hashtag
#circulareconomy hashtag
#lighting
Co-Founder & CEO at Antleron
3wGo Gideon!