Owing to a global ban on mercury-containing lamps, Panasonic will end fluorescent lamp manufacturing by 2027, shifting to LED production after that and keeping up with Japan’s adoption of the same.
Panasonic is set to terminate its long-standing production of fluorescent lamps by the end of 2027, marking the conclusion of a seven-decade era in the lighting industry.
This decision comes in response to a global agreement made in November, which will ban the manufacture, export, and import of standard fluorescent lamps in three years due to their mercury content. However, lamps produced before the cutoff can still be sold in 2028 and beyond.
As the first among the three producers to announce a definitive end date, Panasonic will likely shift its focus to LED production, although specific plans have yet to be detailed.
The company intends to continue producing fluorescent lamps until the end of 2027 to meet ongoing demand in Japan. According to the Japan Lighting Manufacturers Association (JLMA), 60.3% of lamps sold in Japan are LEDs, with the remainder predominantly fluorescent.
The Japanese government has set a goal to transition entirely to LED lighting by 2030, a move projected to halve lighting electricity usage from 2013 levels. However, challenges remain, including the need to retrofit existing fixtures and the higher cost of LED bulbs, which can burden consumers and small businesses grappling with inflation.
Additionally, fluorescent bulbs are typically used until their lifespan ends, usually around 2-4 years, which may slow the transition.
Since 1951, Panasonic has been a key player in fluorescent lamp manufacturing. It is now one of only three companies in Japan still producing these lamps, alongside Toshiba Lighting & Technology and HotaluX.
