LumiAdd explores coffee grounds as material for spotlights

Luminaire printer LumiAdd is exploring the use of discarded coffee grounds as a raw material for making spotlights and downlights.

The company says grounds combined with polylactic acid (PLA) can create fittings and bring compelling benefits.

‘This innovative blend re-purposes waste, transforming coffee by products into attractive, eco-friendly products,’ says the firm. ‘Infusing coffee grounds into the plant polymers before 3D printing creates a unique texture and natural colour.’

The company uses plant-based polymers, primarily PLA, to print all of its luminaires.

The plant polymers it use are, it says, ‘significantly more sustainable’ than conventional materials currently used in the lighting industry. ‘3D printing on demand results in zero waste.’

Leeds-based LumiAdd says that 3D printing to orders results in zero waste and enables unconstrained design innovation. It also enables the company to manufacture and assemble in the UK helping to lower each product’s carbon footprint.

Luminaire components can be manufactured in the same location where final assembly is completed, greatly reducing transport related carbon emissions.

Furthermore, says the firm, it supports a localised workforce and empowers the development of modern technology skill sets.

With the manufacturing process of 3D printing, there is no requirement for hard tooling, eliminating the need for stock holding and subsequently reduces any potential waste through product obsolescence and product evolutions.

It future proofs product maintenance and re-manufacture, as replacement parts can be produced in required volumes with no time constraints.

Any design evolutions can be easily integrated without the need for lengthy and costly tooling modifications.

The luminaires are designed to be re-used, repaired and re-manufactured, with recycling or industrial composting being the last option.

LumiAdd even offers a buy back scheme to support the return its luminaires at the end of their first use.

• See innovations in materials at Circular Lighting Live 2024, Recolight’s flagship conference and exhibition, which takes place on Wednesday 9 October 2024 at the Royal College of Physicians in London. Free to specifiers, Circular Lighting Live 2024 will feature leading experts, specifiers and policy makers who will share their insights into forthcoming standards and legislation, emerging technologies and new business models. More info: www.circularlighting.live