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Introduction:

Under the brand name Reflecoat®, Lescrauwaet BV has developed a range of heat-resistant reflective coatings for applications including reflectors. Depending on the specific situation, these coatings can increase light output, determine the desired light spectrum, minimise energy loss and, in many cases, eliminate the need to replace reflectors.

Reflecoat® is a range of heat-resistant coatings which, depending on the circumstances, smooths the surface texture of light-reflecting surfaces, reduces light absorption and thus improves light reflection; the choice of coating colour, in combination with the lamp used, also allows the desired light spectrum to be achieved. For the time being, the basic colours supplied are white, red and blue, but pilot projects are already underway concerning, amongst other things, customised lighting using specific reflective colours to promote targeted plant growth.

Reflecoat® is applied by Lescrauwaet under controlled conditions to reflectors that have already been used or written off for environmental reasons (CSR), as well as to new reflectors. This comes with an expected service life of at least 3 to 5 years under normal conditions and a manufacturer’s warranty of at least 12 months, during which periodic cleaning of the reflectors by certified companies is permitted.

A range of measurements has been carried out by the independent lighting consultancy MLD – Woerden (Eng. Jan Meutzner), in which various types of reflectors for greenhouse horticulture, such as Alpha, Beta and Delta, were tested in both Reflecoat®-coated and standard versions. The tests examined differences both within and outside the PAR light spectrum, including luminous intensity, light spectrum and reflector temperature. The measurement results will be published on this website shortly. The list will also include the companies where Reflecoat®-coated reflectors have already been installed, along with the initial findings.

As a business development company, Lescrauwaet focuses primarily on technical innovations in horticulture, livestock farming, construction and industry.

Worldwide, many millions of incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, LED and gas-discharge lamps are in use in sectors such as horticulture, livestock farming, the residential sector, the construction sector, industry and public spaces.

The above-mentioned lamps are regularly used in combination with light-metal reflectors that have a relatively coarse surface texture (non-anodised), a high coefficient of thermal expansion and, in most cases, a metallic-coloured surface. As a result, a significant amount of light energy cannot be optimally reflected or is sometimes unintentionally converted into heat energy, particularly in the case of high-temperature lamps such as halogen lamps and high-pressure sodium lamps (including SON-T).

This is largely unrelated to, for example, a hammered finish or similar surface treatment. Furthermore, the common choice of a white wall finish in office spaces worldwide is largely based on its superior light reflectance compared to other colours such as grey or metallic shades.

Often, the absorbed heat released is not utilised, or only to a very limited extent, and this can be regarded as an undesirable loss of energy. Furthermore, a higher operating temperature of the luminaire and its components will generally increase maintenance requirements and shorten its service life.