Nichia, Silver Partner of the LII National Lighting Symposium: «Truly superior lighting performance begins at its core»

The CEI interviews the company that changed the history of light with the invention of the blue and white LED, exploring their philosophy of «Light from the Inside Out» and their commitment to human-centric innovation.

The National Lighting Symposium, organized by the Spanish Lighting Committee (CEI), has established itself over more than 50 years as the premier forum for technical debate and innovation in Spain. In its 52nd edition, the congress once again serves as a vital meeting point for public and private stakeholders to address the challenges of energy transition, sustainability, and the quality of the urban nightscape.

In this context of excellence, Nichia Corporation plays a prominent role as a Silver Partner. Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Anan-Shi, Tokushima, Japan, Nichia is a global pioneer in the development of optical semiconductors. The company’s innovative DNA is etched in history through milestones such as the invention of the high-brightness blue LED in 1993 and the white LED in 1996. Today, with approximately 9,200 employees worldwide, Nichia remains at the forefront of the industry, focusing on deep materials science and a long-term commitment to quality.

We spoke with Xavier Denis, Head of Technical Support and Technical Marketing at Nichia, about its three pillars of innovation – quantity, quality and light form – and the importance of fostering a more informed market at the upcoming symposium.

Nichia changed the history of technology with the invention of the blue and white LED in the 1990s. With that innovative DNA, what concept do you want to convey under the title «Light from the Inside Out»?

“Light from the Inside Out” reflects Nichia’s belief that truly superior lighting performance begins at the core. Since the invention of the blue and white LED, Nichia has focused on developing and manufacturing key technologies in-house, from epitaxial growth and chip design to phosphors and packaging. By controlling and optimizing the light at its source, we ensure exceptional efficiency, color quality, consistency, and long-term reliability.

At the same time, this reflects our philosophy of innovation: continuous improvement driven by deep materials science and a long-term commitment to quality rather than short-term cost optimization. Simply put: when the light is engineered correctly at its core, everything built around it performs better—for manufacturers, designers, and ultimately for the people who experience the light.

Xavier Denis, Head of Technical Support and Technical Marketing at Nichia.

In your three pillars, you mention both optimizing efficiency (Quantity) and supporting circadian rhythms (Quality). In a market that often prioritizes only energy savings, how does Nichia convince specifiers that the true «efficiency» of a luminaire should also be measured by its impact on people’s health?

Energy efficiency remains fundamental, and Nichia continuously improves LED efficacy. However, focusing only on maximum lumen output can lead to compromises in spectral quality, visual comfort, and ultimately the well-being and performance of the people using the space. Today, there is growing scientific evidence that light influences human circadian rhythms, alertness, mood, and sleep quality.

In offices, healthcare, education, and residential environments, lighting that supports biological cycles can improve productivity, recovery, and overall comfort. When these human benefits are considered, the real efficiency of a lighting system is measured by its total impact—not only energy savings, but also human performance and well-being. Efficiency should be defined as energy efficiency per human benefit, and this is the direction Nichia is committed to supporting.

As world leaders in the manufacture of the most critical component of today’s lighting, why is it important for Nichia to be present at this National Symposium, collaborating with installers, engineers, and local councils?

For Nichia, being present at forums such as this National Symposium is essential because the performance of a lighting installation is ultimately determined by decisions made across the entire value chain—from component selection to system design and specification. As a manufacturer of the core light source, we believe our responsibility goes beyond supplying LEDs. We want to contribute knowledge and support a better understanding of how light quality and long-term performance are created.

Lighting today is far more than a commodity. Factors such as spectral quality, color consistency, and optical stability are directly influenced by the technology inside the LED. When installers, engineers, and public authorities understand these aspects, they are better equipped to make decisions that avoid short-term cost trade-offs that can lead to poor color uniformity or higher maintenance costs. Participation in this esteemed Symposium is about contributing to a more knowledgeable market and a higher standard of light.

On behalf of the Spanish Lighting Committee (CEI), we would like to express our most sincere gratitude to Nichia for their invaluable support as a Silver Partner in this 52nd edition of the National Lighting Symposium. Their commitment to excellence and their active contribution to the exchange of knowledge are fundamental pillars for the success of this meeting and for the continuous advancement of the culture of light in our country