Lighting industry comes together at Circular Lighting Live 2025

Collaboration and innovation took centre stage at Circular Lighting Live 2025, a sustainability conference for the lighting industry in the UK. Held in London and organised by Recolight, the event brought together more than 35 inspirational speakers and leading brands to explore how the industry can accelerate the transition to circularity. Delegates, sponsors, and speakers highlighted both the urgency and the opportunity for the sector to embrace circular design, reuse, and decarbonisation. A recurring theme was the need for collaboration between manufacturers, lighting designers, clients, and contractors, to deliver step change sustainability. Speakers emphasised that “doing things differently” requires trust, dialogue, and collaboration across the supply chain – and that misplaced perceptions of risk, especially with luminaire reuse, can hinder progress. Key trends and technical insights Delegates engaged with technical and regulatory themes, reflecting a fast-evolving landscape: • Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) were widely discussed, recognising their growing importance in enabling transparent and credible product comparisons. • TM65 and TM66 were acknowledged as important gateway tools for measuring embodied carbon and assessing circularity. • Legislative updates provided delegates with visibility of new and evolving UK and EU regulations on sustainability. • The importance of reuse, refurbishment, and the energy transition were repeatedly emphasised as drivers by lighting specifiers. • Broader themes included decarbonisation, design for repairability, skills development, and other circular economy practices. Nigel Harvey, CEO of Recolight, says, “Circular Lighting Live this year was buzzing with ideas and opportunities. It was inspiring to hear of new approaches to tackling sustainability and the circular economy. "It was particularly pleasing to note that there was a tangible desire to press on, in spite of the political headwinds coming across the Atlantic.” What the delegates said The event drew backing from major brands including Signify, Sylvania Group, Glamox, KKDC, Prime Light Group, Prolojik, Thorlux Lighting, Trojan Lighting Solutions, NVC Lighting UK, Mymesh by Chess UK, SMART SYSTEMS UK, and ALBIS Distribution. Feedback from sponsors and delegates was reportedly positive: • “Circular Lighting Live this year showed that meaningful change is underway. […] Business as usual is no good; we must challenge and we must change.” – Gary Thornton, Nulty • “An important conversation about circular design in lighting. Events like this are vital in helping our industry move from talking about circularity to embedding it as standard practice.” – Paul Beale, 18 Degrees • “Circular Lighting Live was an inspiring event, full of passionate people driving change in the industry.” – Nicholas Holmes, Ambit • “This event has established itself as a must-attend event for anyone serious about sustainability within the lighting industry.” – Mike Edwards, Verde Photon Ray Molony, who co-organised the event and curated the agenda, notes, “With sustainability now at the heart of lighting product development, design, and specification, Circular Lighting Live has become a vital platform for collaboration and innovation. "By tackling barriers, sharing knowledge, and embedding circularity as standard practice, the UK lighting industry is leading the way towards a truly sustainable future.” For more from Recolight, click here.

Espire dual sensor smoke and heat alarms from ESP

Advanced fire safety is central to the Espire dual Smoke and Heat Alarm models from ESP, combining the benefits of both optical and heat detection in one compact unit for maximum safety coverage. Designed to respond to a wide range of fire types – from fast-flaming to slow-smouldering – the Espire Smoke and Heat Alarms use intelligent monitoring software to analyse input from both sensors and trigger alerts, when necessary, significantly reducing false alarms. The addition of ESP exclusive innovations such as auto-dimming LED indicators, dust compensation, and RF-Link capability further elevate performance and installation flexibility. Installers can choose from two power options to suit varying project requirements: • Powered by mains, with a sealed, tamper-proof 10-year lithium battery • Powered by a sealed, tamper-proof 10-year lithium battery The Espire Dual Smoke and Heat Alarms are to be installed in accordance with BS 5839-6. The alarms are certified to BS EN 14604 and BS 5446-2, combining the full compliance of separate detectors in one dual-sensor product. As with all Espire alarms, this model features a lock-in base, hush button, and eco-friendly packaging, aligning with ESP’s mission to provide reliable, sustainable safety solutions for residential and domestic environments. More information can be found on the Espire website and the Scolmore Group app. For more from Espire, click here.

CU Phosco installs smart poles to boost 5G ahead of Oktoberfest

UK exterior lighting manufacturer CU Phosco, working with 5G Synergiewerk and Telefónica, has installed six smart streetlight poles in Munich to improve mobile coverage and capacity in time for Oktoberfest 2025. The new poles are positioned near major underground rail stations to reduce coverage gaps and support network demand during one of the world’s busiest public events. Smart infrastructure in urban settings The deployment in Munich follows earlier installations in Augsburg, Cologne, Frankfurt, Hannover, and Würzburg. Each pole combines street lighting with integrated 4G and 5G equipment, designed to fit into the surrounding streetscape. The base of each structure includes dual access doors, and the poles stand between 11.9 and 13.9 metres high, with tri-sector antennas at the top. According to Telefónica, the installation supports its wider network densification plans, improving connectivity in pedestrian areas around transport hubs. The company said the poles will help provide coverage for both safety applications and heavy public use. The structures are modular, allowing them to host additional applications such as CCTV or public address systems, and are designed to act as direct replacements for conventional streetlight columns. A demonstration event attended by Telefónica representatives and government officials marked the completion of the installation. Keith Henry, General Manager and Telecommunications Product Manager at CU Phosco Australia, comments, “This project continues the momentum of Connected Urban across Europe. "The deployment in Munich shows how smart lighting infrastructure can play a vital role in creating safer, more connected urban environments. "We’re proud to work alongside Telefónica and 5G Synergiewerk to support Germany’s vision for smarter cities.” The poles are expected to provide lasting benefits beyond Oktoberfest, improving coverage for daily use and future large-scale events in the city’s transport zones. Ralf Gerbershagen, Managing Director of 5G Synergiewerk, adds, “This collaboration demonstrates the strength of engineering-led partnerships. "Each Connected Urban pole combines innovative design with practical functionality, helping urban planners address both short-term needs, like major events, and long-term network challenges.” Further rollouts are planned across Germany and in other cities, including London. For more from CU Phosco, click here.

UK heat pump training surges despite barriers to upskilling

New research has shown how heating installers and plumbers across the UK are stepping up to meet the demand for low-carbon heating, but also how regional disparities remain. Across the UK, 58% of professionals have already trained or upskilled in heat pumps, with a further 34% planning to do so within the next 12 months. Only 8% say they have not been trained and do not plan to train in heat pumps. This is all according to findings found in plumbing, heating, and electrical supplier City Plumbing’s new report, Taking the Temperature. What the data shows The research suggests that confidence in the heat pump market is growing, with installers citing expected customer demand (37%), the chance to gain a competitive advantage (34%), and personal interest in renewable technologies (38%) as key motivators for training. Practical enablers also matter, with 30% saying they trained because it was convenient to access and 28% were encouraged or funded by their employer. However, there remain some barriers to upskilling in renewables. Some respondents cited the cost (28%), lack of local offering (24%), difficulty in taking time off work (24%), not enough customer demand (24%), and too much competition (20%) as reasons against training in renewables. A fifth (20%) said they haven’t trained or plan to train as they will retire soon. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of respondents said there are still not enough qualified heat pump installers to meet demand – raising concerns about meeting the Government’s target of 600,000 heat pump installations per year by 2028. Alongside this, 85% agree that there needs to be more financial support to help people train or upskill in renewables. A breakdown by region Exploring the research in more detail, several regions are leading the way, with Wales (75%), the East Midlands (74%), and both the North West and Scotland (72%) reporting the highest levels of trained installers. The South West also performs strongly at 68%, giving these areas a robust workforce to meet current demand. Northern Ireland, despite having the lowest training uptake today (21%), shows the highest growth potential – with more than seven in ten professionals (71%) planning to upskill in the next 12 months. The North East (56%), East of England (47%), and Greater London (39%) also report significant pipelines of planned training, indicating that these areas could quickly close the gap with more mature markets. Hemal Morjaria, Managing Director, Heating & Renewables at City Plumbing, comments, “Our research shows clear progress on heat pump training, but some disparities between the regions. "Although it’s positive to see so many upskilling, it’s important that we continue to support installers - especially sole traders and small businesses - with affordable and accessible training to future-proof the industry, which plays an essential part in the UK’s net zero ambitions. “City Plumbing continues to invest heavily in this area. Our partnership with GTEC Training, two centres of excellence, mobile training rigs, and our heat pump umbrella scheme with VitoEnergy are helping hundreds of installers upskill and access government grants, creating a more resilient and future-ready workforce. "Since 2023, City Plumbing has supported more than 650 installers through accredited training in heat pumps, with further training dates and incentives planned for 2025 and beyond as demand continues to rise.” The heat pump training costs £660, but with the £500 Heat Training Grant and a £160 City Plumbing credit for a future heat pump purchase following completion of the course, it becomes effectively free. The next available dates are: • Bedford, 13 October • Aylesford, 14 October • Farnborough, 14 October • Farnborough, 28 October For more from City Plumbing, click here.

Click Scolmore adds Matt Bronze to Deco ranges

Following the success of the Matt Bronze finish in the Definity range, and in response to growing demand for stylish decorative wiring accessories, Click Scolmore has now expanded this sophisticated finish to its Deco Plus and Deco ranges. Deco Plus is Click’s premium curved profile decorative wiring accessory range, while Deco offers a high-quality square profile alternative. The new Matt Bronze finish, available with black inserts, enhances the Deco Plus and Deco’s timeless appeal, ideal for both residential and commercial settings. This elegant addition provides electrical contractors with high-end solutions that elevate modern interiors. All switch plates are modular as standard, allowing installers to create any switch plate required. The Click MiniGrid modules are all easily and quickly exchanged or mounted onto unfurnished plates by means of a simple single screw fixing, allowing endless combinations to suit multiple installations within both domestic and commercial environments. With this latest addition, the Deco Plus and Deco collections now offer nine distinctive finishes: Matt Bronze, Matt Black, Black Nickel, Satin Chrome, Polished Chrome, Stainless Steel Antique Brass, Polished Brass, Satin Brass, and - for the Deco range only - Pearl Nickel. Explore the full range on Click Scolmore’s website or on the Scolmore Group’s app. For more from Click Scolmore, click here.

Scolmore Group backs local community centre refurbishment

The Pennymoor Community Centre in Tamworth, Staffordshire, has reopened following a major refurbishment supported by electrical products provider Scolmore Group and local partner Ventol. The upgrade has transformed the building into a modern, safe, and energy-efficient facility for its preschool nursery and wider community. Scolmore supplied products from across its brands, including Click wiring accessories, Elucian consumer units, Ovia LED and emergency lighting, ESP fire protection systems, and Unicrimp cable accessories. Ventol, specialists in life safety systems and building services, led the on-site works covering electrical and mechanical installations, fire protection, interior improvements, and decoration. Upgraded electrical infrastructure A key focus was lighting, with 29 energy-efficient Ovia LED fittings and new emergency lighting installed to deliver safe, reliable illumination. The centre’s electrical backbone was also modernised with an Elucian three-phase distribution board and antibacterial Click Mode wiring accessories, while ESP’s MAGDUO two-wire fire alarm system now provides full-site fire protection. Beyond technical upgrades, Scolmore donated additional items to support daily use of the centre, while Ventol volunteers decorated the building ahead of reopening. Local firm M&S Office Interiors also contributed furniture to the project. Community-focused delivery Kara Clarke, Nursery Manager, says, “I’d like to thank Ventol Group and Scolmore Group for the fantastic job they have done on the refurbishment of our building. "It’s been transformed into a warm, safe, modern environment for all the children and the local community.” Scolmore says the project highlights how local businesses can collaborate to deliver lasting impact, combining its products with Ventol’s on-site delivery to create a safe and welcoming community space. For more from Scolmore Group, click here.

Inaugural TECH-X 2025 brings lighting sector together

The first TECH-X event has taken place, bringing together the full spectrum of the lighting industry under one roof. Despite disruption to London travel, organisers reported strong attendance, with delegates, speakers, and partners gathering to share insights on the future of the sector. Ayça Donaghy, CEO of the Lighting Industry Association (LIA), comments, “The dedication shown by delegates, sponsors, partners, and speakers in overcoming travel disruptions to be with us is a true reflection of the passion within our sector. "The LIA community is the beating heart of this industry, and TECH-X has been a powerful demonstration of that spirit.” Created as a cross-sector event, TECH-X welcomed lighting manufacturers, suppliers, M&E consultants, designers, installers, specifiers, wholesalers, policymakers, and industry associations. The keynote was delivered by Ricky Nutall, who spoke on resilience in crisis, offering lessons relevant across industries. Key themes from the sessions From the Tech Talks Arena: • Keeping pace with standards and regulations is essential to ensuring products remain safe, legal, and market-ready. • Sustainability is now considered holistically, covering remanufacturing, supply chains, wellbeing, and environmental impact. • Industry leaders urged the sector to move beyond minimum requirements, prioritising safety, ethics, and excellence. From the Connected Lighting Stage: • Lighting is increasingly integrated with platforms, sensors, and data. • Open protocols and collaboration across sectors are key to innovation. • Technology alone is not enough — skills, competence, cybersecurity, and trust are vital. From the Lighting Design Stage: • Lighting affects health, wellbeing, and neurodiverse needs, placing human outcomes above technical metrics. • Maximising natural light remains one of the most effective design strategies. • Artificial intelligence and closer collaboration between manufacturers and designers are expected to shape the sector’s future. The event also highlighted resources including LightingEurope’s paper on product standards and a new guide on sustainability in lighting products, written by Irene Mazzei. Positive feedback Delegates praised the inaugural event: • “Looking forward to the next event!” – Luca Cancian, Lumen Radio • “Well done Team LIA and thank you for letting me take part.” – Brendan Keely, SLL • “The mix of manufacturer, designers, and organisations’ insights made the day very fruitful and enjoyable.” – Claudio Mauri, Hilson Moran For more from the LIA, click here.

Metrel expands EV testing equipment range

Metrel, a manufacturer of test and measurement equipment for the electrical industry, has introduced new diagnostic tools to support the testing and safety of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and vehicles in Britain. The company has incorporated EV supply equipment (EVSE) testing firmware across all levels of its multi-function testers, along with adapters that check charger functionality and provide access to the electrical system for testing. The products The newly launched DC EVSE adapter A 1732 enhances diagnostic and safety testing on Mode 3 and Mode 4 systems. Used in conjunction with the MI 3155 multi-function tester, it can assess charger function, insulation monitoring device operation, and protective earth conductor integrity. The adapter also simulates fault conditions to measure normal, error, and emergency shutdown response times. Metrel has also added the MI 3132 Electric Vehicle Safety Tester to its product range. Designed for outdoor use, it is powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and carries an IP56 rating. The MI 3132 tests DC insulation from 50 to 1,500 V, measuring insulation up to 5 GΩ in line with UN ECE R100 and ISO 6469-3 standards. It includes continuity measurement at both 200 mA and 7 mA for testing through protection systems, and features true micro-ohmmeter capability with a 2 A measuring current, enabling bonding tests of EV chassis and components down to 1 μΩ. A touch-screen interface guides users through test sequences, with results stored in the device’s internal memory for later download and reporting. For more from Metrel, click here.

'Invest in a trusted electrical measurement range'

With over 37 years of experience supporting businesses and electrical pros in the UK, Chauvin Arnoux UK delivers test equipment and expertise that makes electrical maintenance simpler and cost-effective. Chances are you’ve seen or even used Chauvin Arnoux’s power and energy loggers, power quality monitors, or clamp meters. Maybe you even caught the MA400D digital flexi clamp making waves on social media. And there’s plenty more where that came from! Why choose a CA measurement solution? • Full product range — Data loggers, earth clamp meters, and more • Learn on demand — Product videos, tech articles, and guides all in one place • Expert support — Free training and ongoing assistance for contractors, small businesses, and enterprises • Distributor near you — Nationwide distributor network ensures help is never far away With authorised distributors across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, getting the right equipment, good deals, and the support to use it is easy. Chauvin Arnoux solutions meet strict regulatory standards, deliver accurate data, and help you implement real cost-saving measures.

myenergi partners with BT and Openreach to electrify UK fleets

British smart home energy technology manufacturer myenergi has partnered with BT and Openreach to support the electrification of their commercial van and company car fleets. The agreement, which aims to accelerate national progress towards sustainability targets, will see thousands of eco-smart zappi EV chargers supplied to engineers, giving them a way to charge vehicles at home overnight. With Openreach operating the UK’s second-largest commercial fleet, the partnership seeks to deliver a step forward in nationwide fleet electrification. Installations will be carried out by OVO Energy. Part of myenergi’s home energy management system (HEMS), the company says its zappi device gives households total control over their energy use, alongside the flexibility to switch to the best smart tariff. Industry comments Andrew Clint, CEO of myenergi, says, “We’re delighted that BT and Openreach staff will soon be charging their plug-in vehicles with zappi chargers at home. "Transitioning such an extensive fleet is no mean feat, but developing the necessary infrastructure to ensure drivers can charge up at home is a huge step forward. “With zappi, staff will benefit from one of the world’s smartest EV chargers. Thanks to the myenergi app, you can control zappi, and the wider HEMS, with the touch of a button. "It’s another important part [of] our mission to accelerate the UK’s transition to sustainable transport and our commitment to powering the future of fleet electrification.” Judy O’Keefe, Director of Fleet at Openreach, adds, “We’re making strong progress on our journey to net zero, having invested in more than 5,000 electric vans and more than 2,500 home chargers already. "Switching the majority of our fleet to electric by 2031 is a big challenge, but this partnership is another important step, giving our engineers smart, reliable charging at home to support a greener future." Drew Barrett, BT Senior Fleet Manager, comments, “The myenergi zappi is smart, sophisticated, and compatible with the leading time of use tariffs, with the ability to harness self-generated renewable energy. "We’re confident that, thanks to this partnership, we will have the perfect home charging solution to make the transition to electrification absolutely seamless.” As part of the agreement, myenergi will provide zappi chargers for all eligible BT and Openreach staff. For more from myenergi, click here.