LED tube retrofit at ABB – production, office & parking areas

The Challenge

ABB faced the challenge of implementing a future-proof LED lighting solution across multiple sites in Switzerland and Sweden, covering different operational areas such as production facilities and offices. The existing T5 and T8 fluorescent tubes resulted in high energy consumption, additional maintenance requirements due to energy-intensive control gear, and an increased risk of failures.

The solution – LED retrofit with the GLT LED TUBE

A total of 15,000 fluorescent tubes were replaced with GLT LED TUBES across various ABB sites in Switzerland and Sweden. At the Västerås site in Sweden, 4,291 ageing T5 and T8 fluorescent tubes were modernised using a 1:1 LED retrofit approach in accordance with IEC/EN 62776, while production operations continued uninterrupted.

Maintenance costs are reduced to an absolute minimum, supported by the exceptionally long service life of up to 130,000 hours. The new LED lighting system meets all technical standards and legal requirements for quality, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Thanks to the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) of the GLT TUBE, all environmental impacts of the lighting can be transparently measured and documented.

Key benefits of our LED retrofit project at ABB in Västerås

• Energy-efficient and cost-effective: 4,291 GLT LED TUBES save around 717.000 kWh of electricity per year, with a payback period of only 9 months.
• Maintenance-free and long-lasting: The LED retrofit solution with GLT LED TUBES minimizes maintenance requirements thanks to their 130,000-hour lifetime.
• Sustainable and resource-efficient: The scientifically verified life cycle assessment (EPD) of the GLT LED TUBE is an essential component of ABB’s sustainability and ESG strategy.
• GLT Reuse System: At the end of their service life or rental period, GLT LED TUBES are returned, refurbished, or recycled. When purchasing new GLT TUBES, we take back the old ones and credit €5 per unit.

Key Benefits & Advantages

Conclusion

With the 1:1 conversion from fluorescent tubes to GLT LED TUBESGLT LED TUBES in its production and office areas, ABB successfully modernised its lighting systems to be energy-efficient, safe, and sustainable. The significant energy savings, rapid payback, and improved operational reliability make this project a best-practice example for the automation and industrial sector.