Photoluminescence, an eco-sustainable lighting solution

Luminokrom balisage écoresponsable

LuminoKrom® paint, photoluminescence with renewable energy

The LuminoKrom® light absorption and restitution process relies entirely on light energy (mainly solar), a renewable, free and clean source of energy. This makes LuminoKrom® an ideal choice for infrastructures seeking to reduce their dependence on non-renewable energy sources.

Sunlight absorption: The pigments in LuminoKrom® are specially formulated to capture and store natural sunlight. This energy is absorbed throughout the day, even on cloudy days, making the coating an effective solution in a variety of weather conditions.

Energy storage: Absorbed light energy is stored as energy in the coating pigments. This energy is then gradually released as visible light during the night. This means that the coating glows in the dark, improving the visibility of infrastructures without consuming electricity.

 

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Luminescence mimicry

Icone bioluminescence

LuminoKrom® coating can be considered a technological innovation inspired by nature's mimicry, in particular the phenomenon of bioluminescence and photoluminescence observed in certain living organisms such as fish, algae and jellyfish. This imitation of nature is based on the idea that these organisms produce or re-emit light for functional reasons, such as orientation, communication, defense against predators or foraging in dark environments.

The application of this mimicry can be seen in modern infrastructures. Just as some animals use their light to find their bearings and protect themselves, LuminoKrom® improves safety for cyclists and pedestrians by increasing visibility on roads and cycle paths at night, with no active energy consumption. This reduces the need for street lighting and, consequently, energy and environmental costs.

Low environmental impact

  • Reduced CO₂ emissions: by harnessing solar energy, LuminoKrom® coating helps reduce energy consumption from fossil sources. This enables communities to reduce their carbon footprint, particularly in areas where street lighting could be costly or energy-intensive.
  • No energy maintenance: Since LuminoKrom® operates without a power supply, there's no need to manage lighting installations, which also reduces maintenance and associated costs.

Luminokrom balisage écoresponsable

 

LuminoKrom®, an asset for reducing light pollution

LuminoKrom® coatings make a significant contribution to reducing light pollution, a major problem in urban and rural areas that affects the environment, nocturnal wildlife and human health.

LuminoKrom® paint has been designed to provide illuminated signage at night with little or no impact on light pollution: the intensity emitted is diffused from time to time. It is extremely low, in the order of a few tens of millicandelas.

A comparative estimate for one kilometer of bike path shows that LuminoKrom® marking emits 10,000 times less light than street lighting! The impact on visual pollution of photoluminescent markings is also very low compared with the installation of vertical lighting masts.

Today, reducing light pollution is one of the challenges facing our societies. On a global scale, over 80% of the world's population lives under a sky marred by light pollution (source Samuel Challéat - Sauver la nuit, éditions Premier Parallèle), and in Europe, 2/3 of the population can no longer see the Milky Way!

The consequences of excessive artificial lighting go far beyond the deprivation of dark-sky viewing. They are also a source of disruption for biodiversity (modification of the prey-predator system, disruption of reproduction cycles, migrations, etc.) and represent a considerable waste of energy.

Faced with this challenge, more and more elected representatives are taking action: modulating street lighting or completely switching off neighborhoods for part of the night, choosing not to light certain less-used trails or greenways.

LuminoKrom® luminescent paints offer site managers an additional solution for making night-time travel safer on footpaths or cycle paths, while limiting the impact on light pollution compared with alternative solutions.

Pollution lumineuse dans les villes

LuminoKrom®, an asset for partially switching off urban lighting

lampadaires éclairage public

Lighting isn't just light pollution, and in its absence, street furniture, construction zones, intersections and riverbanks can become accident-prone zones for pedestrians and cyclists.

Switching off public lighting is an increasingly important issue in the context of the ecological transition and the reduction of light pollution. The LuminoKrom® product, thanks to its photoluminescence, is part of this approach, offering an alternative solution for maintaining visibility in areas where street lighting could be switched off or reduced.

As soon as night falls, the LuminoKrom® markings light up and take over without consuming any electricity. This maintains visibility for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users, without having to light street lamps, for example. This can be particularly useful in rural or residential areas where night lighting could be reduced to save energy.

Responsible innovation

OliKrom, the company behind LuminoKrom®, is committed to responsible innovation, constantly striving to minimize its ecological footprint and improve the efficiency of its products. Research and development focuses on technologies that have a positive impact on the environment, while meeting the growing needs of road safety and sustainable urban development.

After several years of research and development, OliKrom is pleased to announce the launch of its LuminoKrom® waterborne marking product. By adopting a water-based formulation, LuminoKrom® takes a further step towards more durable and safer coating solutions, while maintaining its high photoluminescent performance. This marks a significant innovation in the coatings industry, making it possible to reconcile technical efficiency, safety and respect for the environment.

 

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LuminoKrom®, quick and easy to deploy,
with low environmental impact

Using LuminoKrom® illuminated markers to secure a dark area is extremely quick and easy. The marking is applied using an Airless-type machine at a speed of 2 to 4 km/hour. As a result, the environmental impact is extremely low compared with the installation of street lighting, which requires trenching and grooving of the road surface for the passage of electrical cables, as well as the construction of bases for vertical masts whose aesthetic appeal in a natural setting is far from unanimous.

 

Easy application and long-lasting marking

icone durable
Long-lasting markings

Thanks to its durability, LuminoKrom® luminescent road paint offers a long-lasting solution, reducing the need for frequent maintenance or replacement of road surfaces. Once applied, the coating requires no special care or maintenance, guaranteeing efficient visibility without energy consumption and need of human work.

Icone durabilité

Maintaining paint performance

Even with this transition, in water-based products, the aqueous formulation of LuminoKrom® retains all its luminescent properties. It continues to absorb natural or artificial light during the day and release it at night. What's more, this new formulation remains resistant to weathering and mechanical wear, which is essential for use on infrastructures as roads and cycle paths.

icone santé
Improving working conditions

One of the major advantages is reduced risk for applicators. Solvent-based formulations, although highly effective, can present health risks during application due to the toxic fumes released. By switching to an water-based one, these risks are minimized, making LuminoKrom® safer for operators, while eliminating the problems associated with solvent flammability.

Low environmental impact

Use of low-impact materials

LuminoKrom® was developed using non-toxic, environmentally-friendly materials. A composition suitable for ground installation. The product is designed to be durable and weather-resistant, reducing the frequency of reapplications and limiting the consumption of resources over the long term.

icone écologie

Reducing environmental impact

Switching to a water-based formulation reduces the use of organic solvents, which are often volatile and potentially harmful to the environment. Organic solvents are known to emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to air pollution and can have harmful effects on human health.

icone énergie
Innovation in sustainability

This transition to an aqueous phase is perfectly in line with our overall sustainable development approach. Not only does it reduce emissions of polluting substances, but it also supports OliKrom's strategy of creating high-tech products that comply with the strictest ecological standards.

The low environmental impact of LuminoKrom®,
feedback from an elected official

In October 2018, the town of Pessac decided to secure a cycle path with LuminoKrom® luminous markings. The location was not chosen at random. It's a bike path located in a protected area that winds through a forest plunged into darkness.

For Eric Martin, 1st deputy mayor of Pessac. "Some people were giving up on taking this bike path, and local residents were asking for street lighting to be installed, but it was expensive. It was the ideal place to test a less expensive solution. To light the Pessac path, we would have had to dig trenches, touch tree roots and install relatively low lampposts. This was not our policy. Pessac was the first town in France with a population of over 50,000 to test switching off street lighting at night.

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