Innovation
Innovation
Innovation with purpose is in our DNA.
Since our foundation, we have seen lighting as a force for good.
By integrating the latest technological advances, we deliver
solutions and services that have a positive impact on
people, communities and the environment.
A legacy of pioneering change
Innovation has guided us for more than a century. Our experts are always asking the same essential question: “How can we make this better?”
This spirit has led to many firsts - from the use of a two-angle reflectometer in 1953 to optimise light distribution, to the Sealsafe® system in 1985 that significantly extended luminaire lifespan, through to SHUFFLE, the first multi-functional pole on the market in 2015, and the launch of the first truly open and interoperable lighting platform in 2019, transforming lighting from a public service into a digital asset.
7
R&D centres
5%
turnover invested in R&D
1,053
patents
A global network of innovators
Our seven research and development centres form a powerful ecosystem where ideas become solutions.
Each centre combines cutting-edge technology, global expertise and local insights to help our
customers overcome challenges with confidence.
Our teams are constantly exploring industrial design, product design and manufacturing processes
to make our products as aesthetic, efficient, robust and sustainable as possible for all our market segments.
They focus on strategic pillars to drive innovation in:
Photometry
We continuously analyse and improve our light distributions and optics to enable you to create safer and more comfortable environments with zero light spill, preserving dark skies and nature
Materials
We explore recyclability and alternative raw materials, such as biopolymers, to reduce the environmental footprint of your projects without compromising on performance
Circadian lighting
By researching the impact of lighting on people and nature, we design solutions like FlexiWhite and coloured lenses that help your environments thrive harmoniously
Circular design
By analysing our product design through our Circle Light Label and creating new retrofit solutions and remanufacturing processes, we extend the service life of your luminaires
Solar technology
By reviewing technological advances in solar panels, batteries and energy management, we provide the self-sufficient solar lighting you need to decarbonise your environments
Efficiency
We drive high-performance electronics, advanced thermal management and digital integration to deliver long-term reliability and ensure that every watt is used intelligently
Architecting tomorrow’s smart infrastructure
Schréder Hyperion, our R&D centre in Portugal was founded in 2019, to think, explore and fuel the potential of your smart city and beyond lighting solutions. Our multi-disciplinary team of data scientists, IoT software developers, electronic engineers and smart city architecture leads supports you in transitioning from conventional to connected lighting, ensuring your next generation of infrastructure is built on a foundation of proven quality and reliability.
Throughout the 118-year-old history of this family-owned company, innovation has shaped its growth and achievements. Today, we are reimagining and repurposing lighting infrastructure to make a more sustainable and profoundly transformative impact.
Peter Bos
Chief Innovation Officer
Engineering a circular future of light
At Schréder, innovation and sustainability are fundamentally linked. This commitment is rooted in our history of engineering durable, resource-efficient solutions. Today, we continue to refine our processes through the lens of circularity. One example is through Digital Twins - virtual models that simulate thermal, optical, and mechanical performance with total precision. By replacing physical prototypes with advanced simulation, we significantly reduce material waste and carbon emissions. This rigorous approach ensures our solutions are optimised for the circular economy, proving that responsible design is the most intelligent path forward.
Validation through expertise
Our BELAC- and ILAC-accredited laboratory ensures credibility and traceability through rigorous mechanical, thermal and optical testing. We develop advanced methodologies to anticipate evolving standards and validate emerging technologies beyond compliance. When challenges arise, we look beyond pass/fail metrics; by analysing root causes, we transform technical constraints into innovation. This strategic in-house capability is the foundation of our reliability, ensuring every luminaire is proven for the requirements of tomorrow.
Advancing the future, together
We believe collaboration accelerates progress. This is why we work hand in hand with customers, academic and research institutions, industry partners and standards bodies to shape meaningful innovations - those that benefit both people and the planet.
