Lighting Industry gears for growth in remanufacturing

Experts gathered in London on 27 April 23 to discuss the opportunities and the challenges of remanufacturing lighting equipment.

More and more lighting manufacturers are adding reconditioning to their business model. A new standard is being published, and regulations are likely to change to incentivize remanufacture. Now is the time for all to embrace the drive to truly sustainable lighting.

“It’s increasingly clear that the remanufacturing of luminaires is moving from the fringe of the industry to the mainstream, driven by the environmental priorities of clients and their specifiers. This is already a big, profitable sector, and it can only grow rapidly in the coming years.”

Ray Molony, Editor, Circular Lighting Report

At the one-day special conference hosted by Recolight, we learnt how to sell the concept of reconditioned lights, develop best practice sustainable policies and procedures, comply with the relevant standards, and set up a testing and compliance regime for reused luminaires.

Simon Fisher of F Mark explored the ways we can sell the concept to our clients; Natalia Duffy of Cundall looked at lighting design using reconditioned luminaires; Kevin Stubbs of Llumarlite took us through BS8887; Tom Ruddell of Egg Lighting showed us what a testing and compliance regime looks like; Francesca Cameron of Recolight gave us a first glimpse of Circular Place, a portal to connect organisations that have used or surplus product to organisations that can make use of them. David Clements of FUTURE Design showed us how to remanufacture at scale; Andrew Nixon of Gamma Illumination and Darrell West of Eco Fix UK Energy Solutions LTD walked us through some successful remanufacturing projects.

A panel discussion with both manufacturers and specifiers looked at the barriers to the adoption of a reuse culture in the lighting sector and discussed ways in which those barriers could be overcome. Panelists included Alison Gallagher of Arup, Tom Ruddell of EGG Lighting, Martin Thompson of Tridonic, Antonina Crino, of Signify, and Howard Lawrence of Commercial Lighting Systems Ltd.

Several attendees commented on the event:

“In an ever-confusing overload of environmental and sustainable information, the Recolight events bring clarity to the issues affecting all players in the lighting industry. Importantly, much of the focus comes from those that are already ‘doing’ so is based on the reality of being able to achieve future goals.”

Martin Thompson, Tridonic

“Remanufacturing is now a defined and suitable alternative to simply purchasing new products. The appetite and will to engage in remanufactured solutions is evident and regulations and standards are in the final phase of development to help deliver the confidence and certainty that a remanufactured product is safe, compliant and credible.”

Simon Fisher, F Mark and founder of the Regen Initiative

“The Remanufacturing Lighting Conference was a fantastic event that really underlined the benefits of the approach, with inspirational case studies to evidence the merits and processes in action. Incredible to have such a wealth of expertise and innovative thinking in one room – the event left me with excitement and optimism for our sustainability journey!”

Tom Ruddell, Egg Lighting

“A well devised conference on such a critical topic with insightful viewpoints from stakeholders in all parts of the process. Thanks to all the team at Recolight!”

Lewis Smith, Smith Dixon and Associates Ltd

Delegates shared challenges they face with remanufacturing. Getting the message across about remanufacture, that it is not just about retrofit. Associated costs in striving for a net zero business. Acceptance from end users to renew rather than replace Lighting.

There were many positives with delegates saying:

•  Remanufacture is not just about cheap retrofits but the more important aspect is to stop taking natural resources from the planet and then putting them back into landfill at end of life.
• This is a developing segment and whilst at source it is about modifying habits for the greater global and environmental good, there are commercial opportunities to be explored. The increase in attendees demonstrates the significance of sustainability in both cases.
• The remanufacturing sector is quickly becoming formal and picking up pace. Leading lighting design professionals are on board with the concepts, message, and key terms.

Summing up the event, Recolight CEO Nigel Harvey said “It was fantastic to witness over 70 lighting leaders really engaging on the challenges and opportunities that lighting remanufacture now presents. The room was buzzing with energy. The scene is now set for material growth in this sector, as more manufacturers get involved, and more end users demand reuse as an option.”