Lighting equipment consumes over 20% of the electric power consumed worldwide, and therefore energy-saving lighting equipment can significantly contribute to reducing both energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

Lighting equipment using White Organic EL is drawing attention as a next-generation, low-power-consuming light source that will replace incandescent and fluorescent lamps. Steady improvements in luminous efficiency of White Organic EL, a key development issue, are also opening the way for its practical use, and ZEON's development of the optical films for organic EL are the key role in making this happen as quickly as possible.

ZEON developed a specially processed version of its ZEONOR Film^® for Organic EL drawing upon its own optical design and precision process technologies, and making use of ZEONOR Film's distinctive characteristics, including: (1) a refractive index nearly equivalent to glass; (2) high transparency; and (3) low moisture permeability. Organic EL lighting using this special film offers brightness 40% greater than conventional lighting, achieving substantial energy savings.

Organic EL chandeliers incorporating this special film, provided by the Research Institute of Organic Electronics (Director: Professor Junji Kido, Yamagata University) in Yonezawa, have been chosen for exhibition in the Zero Emission House at the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit to be held from July 7 to 9, 2008.

ZEON intends to further contribute to the enhancement of next-generation lighting equipment using White LED and Organic EL by leveraging its original technologies.