Fluorescent lamps - a traditional energy-saver, use up to 85% less electricity depending on the type and brightness, and produce 80% of all light worldwide with just 50% of the energy consumption.

Objective

Fluorescent lamps are low-pressure discharge lamps that contain mercury. The goal of our products and production is to use as little mercury as possible. After all, despite careful handling during production and the use of filter systems on production equipment, the use of toxic substances such as mercury still poses a limited risk. Even after its service life is over, the mercury contained in the lamp can pose an environmental hazard if improperly disposed of. Unfortunately, only 50% of old lamps in Germany are currently sent to a proper recycling facility.

In view of these environmental issues, we have developed processes that reduce the mercury content of our lamps to the minimum required for operation.

Solution

In order to achieve a precise dosage, mercury-coated steel tape is used and cut to fit the dimensions of each lamp. The mercury on the tape is bonded and is only released when the sealed lamp is heated.

This technique offers key advantages over conventional dosage methods using liquid mercury. When using liquid mercury, a drop (max. 5 mg) is inserted into the lamp. Due to the high vapor pressure of mercury, tiny amounts evaporate even at room temperature. High-performance filters can remove the mercury vapor with activated carbon, but this creates yet another waste that has to be disposed of - carbon contaminated with mercury.