LED lighting project improves school learning environment in Taiwan

April 19, 2018

Cool white LED lights have a strong blue wavelength emission that may cause myopia and sleep disturbance. To convert the harmful blue light into natural warm white light, BASF developed an innovative, energy-efficient LED product and provides it to selected public schools with limited resources near BASF production site in Kuanyin. The “Sunshine Lighting Project” in Taiwan is designed within this purpose and aims to improve the visual learning environment for teachers and school children at primary schools.

During the project, 17 BASF employees, with the support of professional electricians, retrofitted classrooms, libraries, and administrative offices with a warmer, more natural light source while also reducing energy costs for the two schools. Based on an immediate test after the installation of the light bulbs, the average illuminance in a classroom increased by 50% whereas the energy consumption dropped nearly 50% compared to previous lighting.

"Quality lighting is essential for school learning environments. By improving the lighting in the classroom, we want to provide a more comfortable reading and learning environment for school children, and contribute to reducing myopia. At the same time, we have developed a technology that can reduce energy use and therefore environmental impact. We also encourage parents to choose proper indoor lighting for kids and pay attention to eye care," said Kin Wah Chay, Managing Director of BASF Taiwan.

BASF’s contribution to education programs in Taiwan

BASF’s social engagement activities in Taiwan are designed to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #4, “Quality Education.” BASF has also supported other education programs in Taiwan including BASF Kids’ Lab, a hands-on science workshop series for 6 to 12-year-old children, as well as Virtual Kids’ Lab, which offers a variety of interactive experiments via the internet.