The next wave of innovation in the lighting sector will be about circular design, predicts the International Energy Agency.
The respected authority argues that the next wave of lighting must combine high efficiency with circular economy principles. That means designing products that last longer, can be repaired and upgraded, and are easier to disassemble and recycle at end of life.
This shift reflects a growing recognition that while LEDs save energy, they also introduce new material challenges. Luminaires contain electronic components, drivers and rare materials that are often difficult to recover once products are discarded. As LED adoption continues to expand globally, the volume of lighting equipment entering the waste stream is expected to rise sharply in the coming years.
For the lighting sector, this creates both a challenge and an opportunity. Circular design approaches — such as modular luminaires, replaceable components and remanufacturing — could significantly reduce material demand while extending product lifetimes.
The IEA also highlights the role of smart lighting systems, which can optimise energy use through controls, sensors and connectivity. When combined with circular product design, these technologies could deliver both energy and resource efficiency benefits.
For manufacturers, specifiers and policymakers, the message is clear: the first LED revolution was about energy. The next will be about materials, longevity and circularity.
“Lighting technologies have already delivered major efficiency gains,” the agency notes. “The next step is ensuring that products are designed with their entire lifecycle in mind.”
If the sector succeeds, lighting could become a model for how energy-efficient technologies evolve into fully circular systems, combining lower energy consumption with reduced material use and waste.
• Learn more sustainable lighting at Circular Lighting Live 2026, Recolight’s flagship conference and exhibition, which takes place on Thursday 8 October 2026 at the Minster Building in the City of London. Free to specifiers, Circular Lighting Live 2025 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
