Matsushita to Launch Eco-friendly Security/Mall Lights

Mar 13, 2008 18:54 Hiroshi Idegawa, Nikkei Monozukuri

Matsushita Electric Works Ltd will launch "Everlight Bohantoh (security light)" and "Everlight Mall Light" featuring a long life of 60,000 hours, a higher efficiency and lower power consumption.

The two products both come in eight models that can reduce running costs and CO₂ emissions. The security and mall lights will be released on March 17 and April 1, 2008, respectively. The security lights are priced at ¥49,875-64,575 (US$498-645), while the mall lights are priced at ¥150,150-172,200 (both including tax).

These products use an electrodeless lamp that contains mercury vapor in a glass bulb whose surface is applied with a phosphor. The lamp discharges and emits light by means of high-frequency magnetic fields generated from inside the lamp envelope.

Compared with mercury lamps, the new products can reduce the CO₂ emission by 30-50%, while maintaining the same level of luminance. The products also reduce the lamp waste to 1/5.

The new lights have a longer life and consume less power because the electrodeless lamp eliminates the filament and the electrodes, which are the leading causes of product failure. The lamp does not have to be replaced for about 15 years even if the light is lit for 4,000 hours per year.

As a result, the total cost can be reduced and the additional initial cost (compared to the case of using a mercury lamp) can be recovered within three years.

In order to achieve the goal for the reduction of CO₂ emissions, the company plans to discontinue the production of less efficient mercury lamps by the end of March 2009 and accelerate the production of mercury-free lamps by launching the full-scale promotion of energy-saving products such as the Everlight series. The company expects the annual sales of 24,000 units for both the security and mall lights.

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