RAB Lighting chooses PLEXIGLAS® proTerra molding compound for resource-efficient luminaire design

• Lighting manufacturer produces cover of C-Wall luminaire with PLEXIGLAS® proTerra 8N based on bio-circular raw materials
• PMMA molding compound by Röhm with reduced greenhouse gas emissions (CO2e) and very good optical properties
• Seamless integration into established designs and processes

RAB Lighting, a lighting manufacturer, focuses on compact design, lightweight construction, and recycled or bio-based materials to produce luminaires more sustainably. To this end, the company also uses PLEXIGLAS® proTerra 8N molding compound for products manufactured for the European and Asian markets. This type of Röhm’s brand polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) contains a proportion of attributed bio-circular raw materials, thereby lowering its CO₂e footprint.

Cradle-to-gate footprint lowered by 25 percent

For PLEXIGLAS® proTerra 8N, fossil resources are proportionally replaced by ISCC PLUS-certified, sustainable raw materials and allocated via mass balancing. ISCC stands for International Sustainable Carbon Certification. This is an independent, voluntary certification system for bio-based, renewable, and circular raw materials.

The product is chemically identical with PLEXIGLAS® 8N, an established material for optical applications, and has congruent product properties. The difference is a 25 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions along the value chain, spanning from raw material extraction through transportation and processing to the factory gate (cradle-to-gate), as the life cycle analysis (LCA) proves. Luminaire manufacturers can switch to the CO2e reduced grade PLEXIGLAS® proTerra 8N without needing to modify existing designs or production processes – ensuring consistent optical quality for enhanced lighting solutions.

“Without sacrificing reliability and quality”

Stephen Osborne, Director of Engineering at RAB Lighting, points out: “We are continuously expanding our use of lower-impact materials that meet RAB’s standards for optical clarity, performance, and long-term durability. PLEXIGLAS® proTerra 8N fits this approach. It provides a carbon-reduced option without sacrificing the reliability our customers expect.”

The C-WALL series plays a key role in RAB Lighting’s sustainable lighting initiatives. It represents the next generation of wall-mounted luminaires, designed to deliver versatile functionality with a strong focus on sustainability. Its sleek, lightweight form incorporates resource-saving materials such as recycled aluminum for the body and PLEXIGLAS® proTerra 8N for the transparent luminaire cover. According to the company’s calculations, the low-profile design and choice of materials help to lower the overall CO2e footprint of C-Wall luminaires significantly compared to similar wall packs.

A special feature of the C-WALL’s design is the LED modules that are placed at the top of the fixture rather than at the back, directing light downward to minimize glare and avoid it shining directly into the eyes. An aluminum reflector controls the direction of the light. Together with the textured structure of the luminaire cover, the optical properties of PLEXIGLAS® proTerra 8N contribute to a pleasant, homogeneous lighting effect. It offers 92% light transmission and exceptional light‑guiding properties. It also delivers long-term UV and weather resistance.

In addition to this clear transparent material, Röhm’s PLEXIGLAS® proTerra molding compounds are also available in light-diffusing and deep black colored grades.

Röhm’s proTerra products can contribute to the circular economy

To meet industry‑specific requirements, PLEXIGLAS® proTerra products are available with varying shares of allocated sustainable feedstocks. “PLEXIGLAS® proTerra 8N can be produced with 25 to 100 percent bio‑circular feedstock,” explains Zhong Shen, Head of Technology, Molding Compounds, Asia. “Another option is our PLEXIGLAS® proTerra M5. This grade contains up to 30 percent mechanically recycled PMMA from post‑industrial sources. This method lowers the material’s cradle-to-gate footprint by 30% compared to a product made from completely new material.”

Yu Zhu, General Manager of Röhm’s Molding Compounds business in Asia underlines Röhm’s committment to offering various sustainable material solutions. All Röhm products that qualify for the proTerra brand family were made from low-emission raw materials, contribute to the circular economy, and conserve resources such as raw materials, energy, or water. “We will continue to empower industries such as optoelectronics and automotive manufacturing in their efforts to reduce emissions and advance circular economy practices,” says Zhu.