-
Osram
acquires one of the world's leading suppliers of smart grow lighting
- US-based Fluence expands
Osram's
portfolio of horticultural systems
-
Osram
is pioneering the digital automation of smart farming solutions by combining intelligent lighting, sensors, and smart software
Osram
is taking the next step in its quest to become the leading provider of intelligent plant growth solutions by acquiring
Fluence Bioengineering, Inc.
of
Austin, Texas
. Fluence was founded in 2013, has approximately 95 employees and its 2017 sales were in the mid-double-digit millions of dollars (USD). The company specializes in LED-based horticultural systems, using Osram LED chips, for a wide variety of applications including vertical farming, especially in urban areas. Potential crops range from salad greens and herbs to medicinal plants.
Osram
and Fluence have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.
"Fluence is opening the floodgates to a huge future market," said
Stefan Kampmann
, CTO of
OSRAM Licht AG
. "Fluence's extensive knowledge of the horticulture market and possible applications, combined with
Osram's
expertise in lighting technologies, sensors and connectivity, will position us as a leading horticultural solutions provider." Associated smart farming software can be integrated into
Osram's
Internet of Things (IoT) platform Lightelligence, which brings the digitalization of lighting control to a new level. By combining and analyzing sensor data, Lightelligence enables significant progress in automation and intelligent applications far beyond lighting.
Increasing population and continued urbanization are intensifying the demand for fresh food, especially in densely populated cities around the world. To meet the needs of these areas, growers must tap the potential of greenhouses and vertical cultivation systems, utilizing smart lighting, sensor systems and artificial intelligence. In addition to growing healthy and tasty food, vertical farms reduce the need for long-distance transportation routes. They also lessen the need for pesticides, fertilizers and excessive water use, and ultimately reduce spoilage. These technologies, which also can be used for growers of medicinal plants, contribute to the goal of sustainable agriculture.
LED-based solutions from Fluence help growers meet their yield and sustainability goals by increasing harvests up to 25 percent, reducing energy costs by as much as 50 percent and, through the targeted use of light, improving the quality and nutritional content of plants. Considering also that approximately 40 percent of food is spoiled between the producer and the supermarket shelf, there is an additional ecological aspect to benefit the smart farming approach.
"In the future, self-learning software algorithms will create and optimize digital plant models in order to cultivate tailor-made salads and herbs for platform partners such as supermarkets, online grocery shops and pharmaceutical companies," Kampmann said.
Osram
has increased its involvement in the horticulture sector over the last several years. The company has developed research and specialty luminaires that enable tailor-made light recipes to be controlled for specific plant types. In 2017,
Osram
invested in the
Munich
-based startup Agrilution which develops plant cubes with LED lighting for home use.
Fluence Bioengineering, upon closing, will be positioned within
Osram's
Professional and Industrial Applications segment in the Specialty Lighting business unit. "We are excited to be teaming up with
Osram
to drive forward this global expansion and expand our digital product portfolio. Our new and existing customers will benefit from our partnership with
Osram
in all matters relating to light and sensors", said Fluence CEO
Nick Klase
.
PRESS CONTACTS
Torsten Wolf
Tel: +49 89 6213 - 2506
Email: torsten.wolf@osram.com
Jens Hack
Tel. +49 89 6213 - 2129
Email: j.hack@osram.com
Nadine Schian
Phone +49 89 6213 - 3769
Email: n.schian@osram.com
ABOUT
OSRAM
OSRAM
, based in
Munich
, is a leading global high-tech company with a history dating back more than 110 years. Primarily focused on semiconductor-based technologies, our products are used in highly diverse applications ranging from virtual reality to autonomous driving and from smartphones to smart and connected lighting solutions in buildings and cities.
OSRAM
uses the endless possibilities of light to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities.
OSRAM's
innovations enable people all over the world not only to see better, but also to communicate, travel, work and live better.
OSRAM
has approximately 26,400 employees worldwide as of end of fiscal 2017 (
September 30
) and generated revenue of more than
EUR4.1 billion
. The company is listed on the stock exchanges in
Frankfurt
and
Munich
(ISIN: DE000LED4000; WKN: LED 400; trading symbol: OSR). Further information can be found at www.osram.com.
ABOUT FLUENCE
Fluence specializes in LED-based horticultural systems for a wide variety of applications including vertical farming. Its customers are agricultural producers in indoor locations such as high-rise buildings. Potential applications range from salad vegetables and herbs to medicinal plants. For more information go to https://fluence.science/.
Disclaimer
This document contains forward-looking statements and information, i.e. statements about events that lie in the future rather than the past. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as 'expect', 'want', 'anticipate', 'intend', 'plan', 'believe', 'seek', 'estimate', 'will', and 'predict'. Such statements are based on current expectations and certain assumptions made by
OSRAM's
management, so they are subject to various risks and uncertainties. A wide range of factors, many of which are beyond
OSRAM's
control, have an influence on the business activities, success, business strategy, and results of
OSRAM
. These factors may cause the actual results, success, and performance of
OSRAM
to differ significantly from those expressly or implicitly communicated in the forward-looking statements or from those that are expected on the basis of past trends. In particular, these factors include, but are not limited to, the circumstances described in the report on risks and opportunities contained in the annual report of the
OSRAM Licht Group
. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materializes, or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, the actual results, performance, and success of
OSRAM
may differ significantly from those described in forward-looking statements as being expected, anticipated, intended, planned, believed, sought, estimated, or projected.
OSRAM
assumes no obligation, nor does it intend, to update these forward-looking statements above and beyond the legal requirements or to adjust them in light of unexpected developments. Due to rounding, numbers presented in this and other reports may not add up precisely to the totals provided and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures to which they relate.