Philips sows seeds for energy-efficient horticulture through LED lighting partnership with BVB Substrates

Eindhoven/De Lier the Netherlands – Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is to join forces with leading horticultural supplier, BVB Substrates of the Netherlands, to develop solid-state LED lighting-based applications for greenhouse-based flower and vegetable cultivation. The companies have signed a memorandum-of-understanding in order to combine their respective strengths in horticulture.

High-tech horticulture production is a highly energy-dependent process, often requiring specialist ‘growth’ lighting to improve crop quality and output, especially during autumn and winter. Through its partnership, Philips and BVB Substrates will identify applications of energy-efficient LED lighting to lower this energy consumption, while at the same time improving the quality and yield of production.

BVB Substrates – the corporate brand name of Bas van Buuren B.V., Euroveen B.V and Bogro B.V. - has more than 100 years of experience of driving innovation in substrates, the foundation from which flowers, vegetables, plants, mushrooms, soft fruits and trees are grown. Based in the Netherlands, one of the world’s largest flower-producing economies, BVB Substrates supplies its expertise in substrates to nurseries throughout the world.

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 26 billion in 2008, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.