Covestro provides polycarbonate for connected LED lighting systems manufacturer Signify. Signify is expanding the printing capabilities of its Dutch factory and plans to build new factories in the United States, India and Indonesia. The company has perfected 3D printing, making it a highly flexible and more sustainable manufacturing fixture.
Signify chose Covestro polycarbonate because its products can meet customer requirements, such as high impact resistance and heat resistance, design freedom, transparency and flame retardancy. These properties help Signify to quickly design lamps and tailor them to the actual needs of customers. Especially important is that it is 100% recyclable and supports the concept of circular economy.
"We are the first lighting manufacturer to produce 3D printed luminaires on an industrial scale. This solidifies our leading position in the field of lighting and sustainable innovation." Coen Liedenbaum, Signify 3D printing risk manager, said, "Customers can be in a few days (It took several months in the past) to put their ideas into practice, thereby consuming less energy on printing. "The company announced that it will provide 3D printing fixtures to many large retailers.
Successfully upgraded
"Covestro provides a wide range of polymer materials for all common 3D printing methods, including polycarbonate raw materials for this promising application," explained Patrick Rosso, global head of additive manufacturing, "through signify, etc. With the cooperation of the company, we are breaking the existing scale limit and supporting various industries in the value chain to achieve digital mass production. "
Covestro is currently studying materials that can be widely used in industry. To this end, the company is upgrading its 3D printing laboratories at its factories in Leverkusen, Pittsburgh and Shanghai, and is working with different customers to develop and test material solutions for continuous additive manufacturing. At the Formnext trade show to be held from November 19th to 22nd, 2019, Covestro will showcase some of the latest developments in 3D printing at its booth E11 in Hall 12.1.
Signify's investment further demonstrates the company's commitment to provide better services to customers while reducing their own carbon footprint. The company's 3D printed luminaires are designed for a circular economy because almost every component can be reused or recycled.
Strategic plan to promote circular economy
Covestro regards the circular economy as a key theme and has launched a long-term strategic plan for this purpose. Rainer Rettig, the head of the Covestro circular economy project, said: "Our company hopes to work with as many partners as possible to achieve the transition from a one-off economy to a circular economy." To this end, we have provided customers with tailor-made products today . This project is a good example. "
"Our finished lamps have a 47% lower carbon footprint than traditionally constructed metal lamps," Coen Liedenbaum added. "They are also lighter, which allows us to reduce the carbon footprint in transportation by 35%. Signify plans to use all Existing and new production sites integrate energy-saving LED lights into their lighting installations.