(UK) — The United Kingdom lighting industry is undergoing a fundamental shift, increasingly exploring innovative ways to extend the operational life of existing luminaires rather than relying on traditional replacement models. This vital transition served as the core theme emerging from Circular Lighting Live 2026, a prominent industry gathering held in the heart of the City of London on October 8.
Organized by Recolight, the conference successfully brought together a diverse community of lighting manufacturers, designers, consultants, and sustainability specialists. The primary objective of the day-long event was to discuss, debate, and demonstrate how circular economy principles are actively being applied across contemporary lighting projects. For many years, the lighting sector has largely operated on a linear economic model. In this conventional framework, existing fittings are routinely removed and discarded during building refurbishments or whenever lighting technologies become obsolete. However, speakers and delegates at the conference suggested that this linear approach is increasingly being challenged by forward-thinking projects that choose instead to retain, upgrade, and repurpose existing luminaires.
Discussions throughout the day focused heavily on how circular economy principles are beginning to influence specification decisions, procurement strategies, and overarching business models throughout the lighting sector. Among the various circular approaches presented to attendees, remanufacturing was widely highlighted as one of the most mature and established methods. With the ongoing phase-out of fluorescent light sources and mounting commercial and environmental pressure to reduce embodied carbon, many organizations are re-evaluating their strategies. Instead of tearing out entire systems, decision-makers are increasingly assessing whether to upgrade existing luminaire housings.
The practical application of these concepts was illustrated through several notable project examples shared during the event. These ranged from large-scale commercial refurbishments, such as the remanufacture of 8,000 luminaires presented by DRK Lighting, to intricate heritage applications. A prime example of the latter was seen at Leadenhall Market, where Light Projects Evolve successfully refurbished historic fittings while developing bespoke LED solutions specifically designed to preserve the unique architectural character of the historic site.
These projects were frequently cited by speakers as compelling evidence that remanufacturing is not a niche concept, but a viable strategy that can be successfully applied across a wide variety of building types and project scales. Yet, while remanufacturing appears to be steadily gaining commercial traction within the industry, several speakers were quick to note that large-scale luminaire reuse continues to present distinct logistical and operational challenges.
Addressing this complex issue, Hattie Emerson of the Finishes and Interiors Sector discussed ongoing efforts to redistribute lighting products that are systematically removed during Cat A fit-outs. Emerson highlighted the persistent logistical and commercial barriers that continue to restrict the development of a robust, efficient secondary market for pre-owned luminaires. Overcoming these hurdles will require deeper collaboration across the supply chain, better tracking of material assets, and standardized frameworks for assessing the safety and performance of reused equipment.
A recurring theme that resonated throughout the conference sessions was the critical role of innovative commercial models in enabling true circularity. Speakers argued persuasively that reuse, remanufacturing, and leasing approaches allow economic and material value to be retained in products for much longer periods. By shifting away from pure product sales, these models create fresh opportunities for manufacturers and service providers to generate continuous revenue streams well beyond the initial point of sale.
In his compelling keynote address, John McRae, director at the renowned architectural practice Orms, encouraged delegates to seriously consider alternatives to conventional consumption models. Echoing this sentiment, designer Sabine De Schutter suggested during her session that embracing reuse and upcycling should be viewed by creatives as an exciting design opportunity rather than an artistic limitation.
Reflecting on the overarching message of the event, John McRae, Director at Orms, shared his perspective: “This year’s conference was a step change towards a more circular approach where speakers shared their innovation and lessons learned. The industry has been guilty of an addiction to selling new, but this year disassembly and take-back schemes were amongst the examples shared. The future of lighting is not brighter. It is wiser.”
Alongside deep-dive discussions on product reuse and remanufacture, the comprehensive conference programme also explored the growing significance of Environmental Product Declarations, commonly known as EPDs. Attendees received important updates regarding the TM66 circularity framework and heard about emerging regulatory changes expected to place a much greater emphasis on product repairability and upgradeability in the near future.
Several conference sessions suggested that embodied carbon considerations are rapidly becoming just as critical within lighting specifications as the long-established focus on operational energy performance. As building owners and developers face stricter carbon accounting rules, understanding the full lifecycle impact of lighting equipment has transformed from a nice-to-have consideration into a core project requirement.
Materials innovation also featured prominently on the agenda, with expert presentations examining the potential of bio-based plastics and advanced additive manufacturing processes that successfully utilize recycled materials. These technological advancements demonstrate that the manufacturing side of the industry is actively seeking sustainable alternatives to virgin fossil-fuel-derived plastics and energy-intensive fabrication methods.
Together, the diverse presentations and panel discussions at Circular Lighting Live 2026 pointed unmistakably toward a profound shift in how the industry designs, procures, and manages lighting installations. The overarching direction for the sector is now exceptionally clear: preserve the intrinsic value of what is already installed in our buildings, extend its useful operational life, and build the resilient commercial models that make circularity financially viable and sustainable over the long term.
