Thorn Lighting is currently marketing what it says is one of its most circular luminaires to date: the Avenue outdoor lighting family, a fitting that is fully dismantlable and contains 69 per cent recycled material.
The achievement has been highlighted in the latest sustainability report from parent company the Zumtobel Group, which cites Avenue as a flagship example of circular product design alongside the recently launched Tecton II lighting system.
Developed for urban spaces including parks, residential streets, pedestrian areas and car parks, Avenue has been designed around a modular architecture that allows components to be maintained, upgraded, refurbished and eventually recycled at the end of their service life.
At the heart of the concept is Thorn’s patented ‘Quad’ modular platform, which simplifies disassembly while maintaining the luminaire’s IP66 ingress protection.
The luminaire has also been designed to support future upgrades rather than replacement.
A single-piece refurbishment kit enables key components to be exchanged quickly, while Zhaga-compatible connectivity allows smart controls and IoT functionality to be retrofitted as technology evolves.
This approach is intended to extend the operational life of the product and reduce demand for new raw materials.
Manufactured at Thorn’s Spennymoor facility in County Durham, Avenue combines Scandinavian industrial design with UK manufacturing. According to Thorn, the product uses as few parts as possible and prioritises high-quality reusable or recyclable materials throughout its construction.
The Zumtobel Group says the launch forms part of its wider transition towards circular product development.
In the same sustainability report, the company notes that selected products from its Zumtobel and Tridonic brands already feature Digital Product Passports, positioning the group ahead of forthcoming European requirements under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.
As lighting manufacturers prepare for increasingly demanding circular economy legislation, Avenue demonstrates how design for disassembly, high recycled content and upgradeability are becoming integral features of next-generation luminaires rather than optional sustainability enhancements.
• 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 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
