30-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Shaping Malaysia's sustainable future
SIGNIFY Malaysia Sdn Bhd, formerly known as Philips Lighting, has been illuminating Malaysian homes, streets and industries for nearly a century, and is now positioning itself as a key enabler of the country's energy transition and sustainability ambitions.
The company aims to align closely with the country's National Energy Transition Roadmap and broader net-zero carbon goals to help reduce energy consumption, decarbonise urban and industrial environments and enable more liveable, safer and smarter cities through innovative lighting technologies.
FROM LIGHT BULBS TO SMART CITIES The transformation of Signify from a lighting company to a technology-driven sustainability solutions provider mirrors the global evolution of lighting itself.
The company has moved from traditional lighting products to comprehensive solutions addressing the needs of modern cities, industries and consumers through cutting-edge technology.
"Lighting used to be just about illumination. Now it plays a pivotal role in sustainability, data-driven urban planning and safety," said Signify Malaysia Sdn Bhd president Sukanto Aich during the Signify Innovation Day 2025.
Signify's expertise spans beyond energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) solutions as the company pioneers connected lighting systems powered by the Internet of Things, enabling smart infrastructure across cities and industries.
From intelligent street lighting and industrial automation to solar-powered solutions for underserved areas, Signify's innovations help municipalities reduce energy consumption while improving visibility, safety and operational insight.
"We don't just sell lights, we help reduce energy waste, improve operational efficiency and contribute meaningfully to decarbonisation," said Aich.
He said lighting now intersects with broader themes like climate action, smart city development and responsible business practices.
He cited Melaka's smart city transformation as a prime example where, through Signify's Interact smart lighting system, it has connected over 6,000 streetlights in the heritage city, enabling the local government to monitor lighting performance remotely, detect failures in real-time and optimise maintenance.
"This isn't just about keeping the streets lit, it's about enhancing public safety, reducing downtime, cutting energy bills by more than 60 per cent and preventing unnecessary waste," said Signify commercial leader, professional business, Iva Lee.
ENABLING MALAYSIA'S NET ZERO AMBITIONS
Malaysia's push towards sustainability has accelerated in recent years, and lighting plays an unexpectedly outsized role in this transition as it is one of the easiest and fastest ways for cities and industries to cut energy consumption.
"Lighting alone accounts for around 10 per cent of global electricity consumption.
"By helping businesses and governments switch to energy-efficient LED and connected solutions, we directly contribute to Malaysia's climate goals," said Aich.
Beyond energy savings, Signify is advancing circular economy principles through innovations such as 3D-printed luminaires made from recycled materials. These fixtures are fully customisable, designed to minimise waste and carbon impact across their lifecycle, offering flexibility without compromising sustainability.
Additionally, its solar-powered lighting solutions bring reliable, clean energy to rural communities, aligning with efforts to achieve energy equity alongside sustainability.
These solutions enable off-grid communities to access lighting without relying on fossil fuel-based generators, contributing to social development goals.
Lee said longer-lasting products are fundamental to this approach.
"Where once commercial lighting products lasted around 20,000 burning hours, today our entry-level solutions offer at least 50,000 hours, with some going up to 100,000 hours.
"That's a decade of usage without replacement; dramatically reducing waste, operational costs and carbon emissions," she said.
At the heart of Signify's innovation is its Interact platform, a suite of connected lighting systems tailored to various sectors, from industrial warehouses and office buildings to sports arenas and hospitality venues.
According to Lee, these systems leverage sensors and data analytics to optimise energy usage, space and maintenance schedules, giving facility managers greater control and visibility over their lighting infrastructure.
Lee also highlighted how large organisations, particularly financial institutions with hundreds of branches, have adopted Interact to manage lighting centrally, achieving not just energy-efficiency but improved operational decision-making through data insights.
"Facility teams can see real-time performance, detect inefficiencies, and plan preventive maintenance, all of which supports environmental, social and governance and sustainability reporting," she said.
These capabilities help organisations reduce operating costs while meeting regulatory and stakeholder expectations for sustainability and transparency.
HOSPITALITY AND RETAIL SECTORS
Beyond homes and businesses, Signify also delivers professional lighting solutions for the hospitality and retail sectors.
In the hospitality industry, lighting plays a key role in shaping guest experiences. Signify's smart lighting helps hotels and resorts enhance guest experiences through personalised lighting solutions prioritise eye-comfort lighting, ensuring guests feel relaxed and welcomed throughout their stay.
In the retail sector, Signify delivers lighting systems that improve shopping experience through superior light quality that enhances product presentation and LED light recipes are designed to improve the appearance of fresh foods and merchandise. With customisable luminaire designs, retailers can also craft unique in-store aesthetics that reinforce brand identity and leave lasting impressions on customers.
LIGHTING THE PATH AHEAD
Aich reiterated Signify's commitment to helping Malaysia build a greener, smarter future; not just by reducing energy consumption but also by enabling digitalisation and sustainable innovation across industries and cities.
He added that Signify's technologies support not only climate targets but also improve quality of life through better infrastructure, enhanced safety and more vibrant public spaces.
Lee concluded: "Our goal is to be a partner in every stage of Malaysia's journey towards sustainability, offering solutions that go beyond lighting to create a real impact on people, businesses and the environment."
With a steadfast focus on innovation, efficiency and circularity, Signify is poised to continue shaping the country's sustainable future: one smart, energy-saving light at a time.
