LED light transmissive carpets to provide information, direction, inspiration and safety in offices, hotels and public buildings.

Philips and Desso - global leaders in lighting and carpets respectively - today announce a partnership agreement to develop solutions that combine LED lighting with light transmissive carpet. This innovation will further unlock the potential of LED integration into surfaces and adds an exciting dimension to interior design and space planning. The solution will transform the way people interact with information and their environment in offices, hotels, conference centers and other public buildings.

These LED light emitting carpets will provide many benefits in the areas of information, direction, inspiration and safety, such as:

-Guiding people around buildings, including safety exits and routes

-Enhancing the ambiance and atmosphere of the interior of buildings combining lighting with design and colour

-Helping to de-clutter spaces by making information visible only when needed

The solution is designed for high traffic areas and comes in different colors, shapes and sizes - enabling highly flexible application of the new technology.

"This light transmissive carpet solution is designed to engage directly with people's senses and the eyes' natural inclination to seek out light. The technology takes advantage of people's tendency to be guided by the floor when moving through and interacting with space. It brings information, direction, inspiration and safety via the carpet you walk on. This partnership of market leaders is focused on bringing meaningful innovations to the market." said Ed Huibers, Marketing and Sales Director, at Philips Lighting.   

Desso CEO Alexander Collot d'Escury adds: "We know people spend 90% of their time indoors and our vision linked to this is to create innovative flooring solutions that contribute to people's health and wellbeing. This new solution developed with our partner Philips, meets this need and offers exciting ways to enhance the interaction between the interior space and its users."

The partnership is an agreement to work exclusively together in developing the markets in EMEA. In addition to this, a joint development agreement has been signed focusing on a seamless integration of this solution into new and existing buildings. The product name will be revealed in 2014 as part of the full go-to-market launch, but Philips and Desso are already working on pilot projects in key markets.

Combining the many benefits of Desso's carpet, such as improved indoor air quality, acoustics and comfort with the benefits of Philips' LED lighting, this innovation reflects Philips and Desso's common goal to improve people's lives, whilst bringing a new level of design freedom to architects, designers and end-users.

About Royal Philips:

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2012 sales of EUR 24.8 billion and employs approximately 114,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at http://www.philips.com/newscenter.

About DESSO(R):

Desso is a global carpets, carpet tiles and sport pitches company, active in more than 100 countries. Desso products are supplied to corporate offices, education, healthcare, government, homes and also hotels, cruise liners and airlines. It also produces world leading sports surfaces such as the DESSO GrassMaster(R), which has been installed at the home grounds of premier football sides and at the football 'temple' Wembley. Today, most people spend on average 90% of their time indoors which has led to the company's vision: 'How to make the floor work for our health and wellbeing'. Our mission is to ensure that we develop unique products that deliver a much improved indoor environment that maximises people's health and wellbeing and ultimately their performance. This is driven by our innovation programme based on the three pillars of Creativity, Functionality and Cradle to Cradle(R) design.

For more information please visit: http://www.desso.com