• The partnership will emphasize the integration of ABB’s advanced building automation technologies with Zumtobel Group’s cutting-edge lighting management systems.
• ABB and Zumtobel Group also aim to spearhead innovation in direct current (DC) technology for large-scale industrial uses, aimed at cutting energy consumption and lowering CO₂ emissions.
• This strategic collaboration will enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and user experience in commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings.

Global technology leader ABB has partnered with Austria’s Zumtobel Group, a key player in professional lighting solutions, to forge a path toward smarter building technologies and new DC industrial applications. This joint effort is designed to provide customers in the commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors with integrated, smart solutions for more sustainable buildings.

The collaboration will harness the expertise of both companies in the fields of lighting, building automation, and electrification. It centers around integrating Zumtobel Group’s state-of-the-art lighting management platforms with ABB’s comprehensive building automation solutions. By combining their strengths, the two companies aim to create more efficient, sustainable, and user-friendly environments in smart buildings. Together, they will accelerate the use of sensor-driven lighting solutions that help businesses maximize energy efficiency, enhance occupant comfort, and optimize heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) performance.

Additionally, both ABB and Zumtobel Group are committed to driving innovation through the latest developments in DC technology for industrial applications. DC technology is crucial for creating a resource-conscious society, offering numerous advantages for modern power grids. These benefits include more efficient integration of renewable energy sources, reduced resource consumption, decreased feed-in power, grid stability, and an open system structure for users. Both companies are active members of the Open Direct Current Alliance (ODCA), a working group of ZVEI e.V.

“Our collaborative approach allows us to better focus on innovation, standardization, and sustainability while pioneering new technologies,” said Lucy Han, ABB’s Executive Vice President for Building and Home Automation Solutions. “Standardization through KNX, Matter, and Thread is vital for simplifying customer use. As the sector rapidly grows, technology in commercial buildings must communicate seamlessly. Partnering with the Zumtobel Group allows us to offer customers more comprehensive and innovative solutions for smart buildings and industrial applications.”

Key areas of the partnership will include the co-development of integrated smart building solutions. This includes Zumtobel’s LITECOM lighting system, its continuous-row TECTON DC luminaire, and ABB’s DC protection devices, as well as ABB’s i-bus® KNX system.

Oliver Vogler, Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy and M&A at the Zumtobel Group, remarked, “Working with ABB expands our capabilities in sensor-based lighting, particularly in DALI and KNX applications. Together, we can lead innovation in the rapidly growing sectors of smart buildings and smart energy solutions.”

The companies will also look into further cooperation in prefabricated building solutions and emerging standards such as the cross-manufacturer Matter standard and the Thread network protocol.

About ABB Electrification

ABB Electrification is a global leader in providing reliable and efficient electrical solutions, enabling a sustainable and resource-efficient future. With over 50,000 employees across 100 countries, ABB collaborates with partners and clients to address the world’s most significant challenges in energy management and electrical distribution. As the energy transition advances, ABB continues to drive the electrification of the world safely, intelligently, and sustainably.

About Zumtobel Group

Zumtobel Group, an international leader in lighting solutions, components, and services, offers one of the most comprehensive portfolios in the lighting industry. This includes consulting on smart lighting controls, emergency lighting systems, light contracting, design services, and turnkey project management. The company also offers data-based services that deliver connectivity to buildings and municipalities via lighting infrastructure. Zumtobel Group is headquartered in Dornbirn, Austria, and is listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange (ATX Prime).

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