Taiwan: NPUST and Philips sign letter of intent for five-year partnership
Over the next five years NPUST and Philips will team up not only to promote research through extensive cooperation and talent exchange, but also to optimize plant growth and deliver the best possible return on investment by introducing LED lighting in fine horticulture.
Initially, the parties have decided to focus their research and development on ‘light recipe’ for the ‘ice plant’, a plant of high economic value which is difficult to grow. Functional plants such as Chinese herbs and crops of high economic and export value, such as orchids, will be included in the medium-term and long-term joint research projects.
Edward Po, Country General Manager of Philips Taiwan, said: “Philips is delighted to be partnering NPUST and looks forward to leveraging its long-standing worldwide research resources, cutting-edge technology and innovative LED lighting solutions for horticulture in the University’s various research projects. We believe our partnership will enhance the University’s research, further boost productivity and have a positive effect on the numerous local plant factories and their tissue culture seedlings."
Cutting-edge LED lighting solutions for the horticultural industry
With many years of experience in horticultural LED lighting, Philips not only offers a range of advanced and innovative products and technologies, it has also been involved in over 1,000 projects worldwide and develops the 'light recipes' that play a crucial role in LED horticultural lighting.
The light recipe is a systematic lighting design based on plant-specific requirements such as the light intensity, spectrum, uniformity, positioning, and duration of the exposure to light. These recipes can help growers to save between 50% and 70% on energy, accelerate plant growth and increase profits. Dr Lu Na, plant specialist at Horticulture Asia, Philips Lighting, explains: "All plants have specific requirements in terms of lighting. Our LED horticulture lighting is not only energy-saving and highly effective, it also reduces the cost of air-conditioning and prolongs the lifetime of the artificial lighting. Moreover, it can be tailored to suit the relevant plant and further facilitates the use of space."