A range of wall-mounted luminaires have been manufactured with a pioneering plastic with a proportion of attributed bio-circular raw materials.
The C-Wall series from US brand RAB Lighting uses the new Plexiglas® proTerra PMMA moulding compound which manufacturer Röhm says cuts greenhouse gas emissions (CO2e) while retaining ‘very good optical properties’ suitable for the lighting industry.
RAB also uses the compound for products manufactured for the European and Asian markets.
For the compound, fossil resources are proportionally replaced by International Sustainable Carbon Certification PLUS-certified, sustainable raw materials and allocated via mass balancing. The ISCC 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 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions along the supply chain, spanning from raw material extraction through transportation and processing to the factory gate (cradle-to-gate), as the life cycle analysis proves.
Luminaire manufacturers can switch to the CO2e reduced grade proTerra 8N without needing to modify existing designs or production processes – ensuring consistent optical quality for enhanced lighting solutions.
Stephen Osborne, director of engineering at RAB Lighting, told the Circular Lighting Report: ‘We’re 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. Its lightweight form incorporates resource-saving materials such as recycled aluminium for the body and 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 minimise glare and avoid it shining directly into the eyes.
An aluminium reflector controls the direction of the light. Together with the textured structure of the luminaire cover, the optical properties of proTerra 8N contribute to a pleasant, homogeneous lighting effect.
It offers 92 per cent 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 moulding compounds are also available in light-diffusing and deep black coloured grades.
‘Plexiglas® proTerra 8N can be produced with 25 to 100 percent bio‑circular feedstock,’ explains Zhong Shen, head of technology, Moulding Compounds, Asia. ‘Another option is the 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 per cent compared to a product made from completely new material.’
• See more innovations in 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 2026 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
