Global lighting manufacturer Ledvance is pushing for a major shift in how industrial and commercial sectors manage their lighting infrastructure, and launched a dual strategy that targets indoor sustainability through retrofitting and resilience against extreme weather.
The initiative comes at a critical juncture for the industry as the ongoing phase-out of fluorescent lighting compels organisations to modernise aging installations. Rather than replacing entire lighting systems – a process that can be both financially prohibitive and logistically disruptive – the company is advocating for component-level upgrades, providing smarter, more sustainable options that avoid the need for full luminaire replacement.
Using its standard non-dimmable T8 and T5 LED tubes (for CCG or AC 230 V) or with the LEDtube External System, existing luminaires can be converted into modern, and even dimmable LED solutions while retaining the original fitting housing, says the company.
This approach reduces waste, lowers embodied carbon and helps preserve the original look and feel of a space. The addition of Dali-2 controls in the External System also enables compatibility with intelligent lighting systems, including occupancy sensing and daylight harvesting, helping organisations reduce unnecessary energy consumption by ensuring light is only used when needed.
“For many businesses, schools, healthcare facilities and public buildings, replacing entire lighting schemes can be both costly and disruptive. By upgrading components instead of replacing complete luminaires, projects can be delivered more flexibly and in phases, reducing upfront investment while still improving lighting performance and energy efficiency,” says Nelo Neves, a spokesperson for Ledvance.
Ledvance’s Floodlight Flex line features a C5 corrosion rating.
The company’s refurbishment solutions are particularly suited to projects where replacing luminaires would be difficult or impractical. Ledtube External System is available for T5 and T8 lamps and also for Dulux LED L and Fluorescent T9round systems.
Neves comments: “Refurbishment is no longer just a stopgap; it’s a strategic approach to sustainability. Retaining existing infrastructure while upgrading performance allows organisations to significantly reduce waste and embodied carbon without compromising on lighting quality or adding intelligent lighting control.”
As organisations continue transitioning away from fluorescent lighting, Ledvance believes refurbishment will play an increasingly important role in delivering sustainable, future-ready lighting upgrades. By combining intelligent controls, lower energy consumption, longer product lifecycles and reduced material waste, refurbishment projects can provide a practical and cost-effective route to modern lighting without the disruption of full replacement.
Corrosion protection
Simultaneously, the company is addressing growing vulnerabilities in outdoor infrastructure, warning that insufficient corrosion protection in demanding environments is driving up maintenance costs and compromising safety.
Outdoor luminaires face relentless exposure to moisture, salt, and industrial pollutants, which can corrode metal components, degrade seals, and compromise electrical performance. Without adequate protection, lighting systems fail prematurely, leading to costly repairs, increased energy consumption, and potential safety hazards in critical areas such as ports, factories, and coastal facilities.
High corrosion-rated luminaires, such as those meeting C4 and C5 standards, are essential to ensure long-term reliability, reduce maintenance costs, and provide uninterrupted, safe illumination in the environments that need it most, the company says.
To mitigate these risks, Ledvance is emphasising the adoption of strict corrosion classifications. The company’s Floodlight Flex line features a C5 corrosion rating alongside engineering counter-measures including a smart water flow system to prevent ingress, an integrated breather to reduce condensation, face-up installation capability, and removable rubber plugs for enhanced outdoor reliability.
For less extreme applications, its Floodlight Gen 4 family provides a C4 rating paired with watertight connections and adjustable brightness settings that ensure consistent illumination in any weather, while the durable design supports a wide range of outdoor applications.
David Goddard, Head of Projects Ledvance UK, says: “By combining durability, efficiency, and ease of installation, Ledvance delivers lighting solutions that not only withstand the harshest outdoor conditions but also reduce maintenance costs and ensure safety around the clock.”
“With advanced engineering designed for resilience and sustainability, Ledvance continues to provide reliable, high-performance illumination wherever it is needed most – giving customers confidence that their lighting will perform, day after day,” he adds.