CORN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
TRILUX is also experimenting with sustainable and biodegradable materials. One result is the first PLA Parelia prototype. As part of material research projects, TRILUX together with the architectural practise GRAFT are searching for an environmentally friendly and renewable raw material as an alternative to the classic plastic-based luminaire shells. The decision was taken for polylactic acid (PLA), a sustainable raw material that can be obtained from corn starch.
Thanks to its material properties, this biocompatible thermoplastic is suitable for manufacturing luminaire housings using 3D printing processes. PLA products absorb little moisture and their flammability is low, whilst UV resistance, colour fastness and bending strength are high. We are currently investigating the quality and performance of PLA-Parelia LED under real operating conditions