Matsushita Electric Works Ltd will launch “Everlight Bohantoh (security light)” and “Everlight Mall Light” featuring a long life of 60,000 hours, a higher efficiency and lower power consumption.These products use an electrodeless lamp that contains mercury vapor in a glass bulb whose surface is applied with a phosphor. The lamp discharges and emits light by means of high-frequency magnetic fields generated from inside the lamp envelope. Compared with mercury lamps, the new products can reduce the CO2 emission by 30-50%, while maintaining the same level of luminance. The products also reduce the lamp waste to 1/5. The new lights does not have to be replaced for about 15 years even if the light is lit for 4,000 hours per year.

In order to achieve the goal for the reduction of CO2 emissions, the company plans to discontinue the production of less efficient mercury lamps by the end of March 2009. The company expects the annual sales of 24,000 units for both the security and mall lights. The security and mall lights will be released on March 17 and April 1, 2008, respectively. The security lights are priced at ¥49,875-64,575 (US$498-645).