Osram and Vatican extend LED lighting agreement

02 Jul 2014

Brighter, more economical illumination of art and treasures; Osram board is rejigged.

Ceiling the deal: Osram LEDs now illuminate the Sistine Chapel.

LED manufacturing giant Osram has extended its working relationship with the Vatican Museums in Rome, Italy. Both parties have just signed a multi-year framework collaboration on possible future projects. Osram is already equipping the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel with a new LED-based lighting solution.

Christophe Poméon, head of Osram’s Luminaires Business Unit, commented, “Osram and the Vatican Museums aim to further develop scientific cooperation to find new technologies to ensure that the artistic heritage of the Vatican Museums is safeguarded. The extension agreement underlines that we are offering high-end, innovative lighting solutions.”

Antonio Paolucci, Director of the Vatican Museums, added, “Our art and architecture present the most demanding requirements for light. With the opening of the Sistine chapel at end of October 2014, the visiting public will then have their first opportunity to make a judgment of the improvements.”

Osram’s new lighting solution in the Sistine Chapel consists of around 7,000 LEDs and gives special emphasis to the conservational aspect. Improved illuminance of approximately 50 to 100 lux (previously only five to 10 lux) should ensure that the artworks can be clearly discerned, but without causing ageing problems. Osram notes that, although the new LED lighting is much brighter, it consumes 60% less power than the previous installation.

The pilot project, with the working title of LED4Art, received funding from the European Union’s Information and Communication Technology Policy Support Program as part of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Program. The aim of this program is to demonstrate new possibilities for LED technology with regard to energy efficiency and improved quality of light, and thus to achieve more rapid market penetration for the new technology.

Supervisory board reorganized

Werner Brandt to be Chairman of Osram’s audit committee; Joachim Faber stepping down.

Light switch: Joachim Faber (l) and Werner Brandt.

Osram has also announced that Osram Licht AG’s supervisory board will see a key change in personnel. Dr. Werner Brandt is succeeding outgoing member Dr. Joachim Faber, who stepped down from office on July 1, 2014 and is leaving the board.

Peter Bauer, chairman of Osram’s supervisory board, commented, “I would like to thank Mr. Faber for his competent support of our work during the crucial early stages following our stock market debut.” Faber’s “personal; decision” follows regulatory changes in the European banking sector; he continues to serve as a member of the board of directors at HSBC Holdings plc.

Following his appointment, Brandt is also due to take over the chairmanship of Osram’s audit committee from Faber. Previously Brandt was CFO of software maker SAP from 2001 until the end of June 2014. Additionally, he served as labor director and was responsible for human resources since 2013.

About the Author

Matthew Peach is a contributing editor to optics.org.