By Chen Mao-Chun

Yeh Lyu-Song, Chairman of Hexin Guangtong Technology Co., Ltd., was elected as the Chairman of the Taiwan LED Lighting Industry Alliance in 2024 and also serves as Vice President of the Zhongshan Taiwanese Business Association. Starting with traditional lighting fixtures, Yeh responded to the government’s “5+2 Industrial Innovation Plan” in 2017 by reinvesting in Taiwan, embarking on a transformation journey focused on human-centric health lighting, DC power applications, and intelligent control systems, opening up a new chapter for the company.

From Traditional Lighting to Green Energy Technology

Hexin Guangtong has consistently upheld the principles of environmental protection, energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and health. The company has dedicated itself to researching new eco-friendly materials and developing lighting products that meet human health needs. With multiple certifications in human-centric health lighting and patents from various countries, Hexin has become a high-tech pioneer in human-centric lighting. The company has evolved from producing traditional lighting fixtures to providing health-focused lighting solutions with intelligent controls and energy-efficient technologies, successfully entering markets in Europe, the United States, China, and Taiwan.

As Taiwan faces an increasingly severe energy shortage, and amid a global push for ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives and energy savings, the government has introduced a series of energy-saving measures. This has driven many enterprises to seek methods for reducing energy consumption and emissions. In recent years, Yeh has been exploring the interconnections between energy-saving solutions and control systems. He has collaborated with the Industrial Technology Research Institute’s Green Energy Division to promote DC home applications, significantly contributing to energy conservation and carbon reduction.

Innovation in Human-Centric Health Lighting

Human-centric health lighting is one of Yeh’s major areas of focus. Hexin uses patented light source control technologies to adjust spectra and brightness, aligning circadian rhythm factors within an optimal range to maintain normal biological cycles.

• Daytime: Suppresses melatonin secretion, enhancing alertness and concentration for work and study.
• Nighttime: Promotes natural melatonin production, improving sleep quality.

This technology mimics the natural variations in sunlight, effectively regulating human circadian rhythms. It is particularly beneficial for individuals who spend extended periods indoors or for bedridden patients whose disrupted biological clocks can lead to mental and physical health issues.

Yeh noted that while natural sunlight triggers melatonin production, prolonged indoor exposure suppresses it, leading to stress and sleep disorders. Even healthy individuals working long hours indoors may suffer from such "modern diseases." For patients confined to bed, Hexin’s lighting systems help them perceive time changes without looking at a clock, aiding in the adjustment of their biological clocks and improving both physical and mental health.

The relationship between light and circadian rhythm factors is profound. The human body has an internal biological clock sensitive to the 24-hour cycle, influenced by external light. Mid-wave blue light (approximately 455-490 nm) can particularly impact this system. Excessive blue light inhibits the secretion of melatonin by the pituitary gland, keeping us awake and alert. Hexin’s human-centric health lighting products replicate natural light changes, effectively adjusting users’ biological clocks to enhance daily life and work efficiency.

Broad Applications of Intelligent Lighting

Hexin’s products are already utilized across various sectors, including the Geriatrics Building at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, the Zhudong Long-Term Care Facility, and several schools in Hsinchu. The impact of lighting on health has been well-established, with suitable lighting improving not only illumination but also physical and psychological well-being. Hexin’s intelligent lighting technology demonstrates significant market potential and applicability.

In May of this year, Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council Chiu Chui-Cheng visited Hexin’s facility at the Green Energy Shalun Technology Demonstration Site in Tainan. He praised the company’s low-voltage DC intelligent lighting technology, emphasizing its success in transitioning from traditional lighting to green, low-carbon products. Hexin’s achievements serve as an exemplary case for overseas Taiwanese businesses considering reinvestment in Taiwan. In June, the Straits Exchange Foundation organized a visit to Hexin, where Yeh’s personal insights inspired more Taiwanese businesspeople to return to Taiwan and invest.

Vision and Passion for Green Energy Technology

Hexin’s journey from a traditional lighting manufacturer to a leader in optical technology reflects Yeh’s steadfast commitment and enthusiasm. When introducing friends from all over the world to optical transmission, energy efficiency, and health lighting spectra, he always conveys a sense of passion and idealism. Hexin’s story inspires other enterprises to embrace research and applications in green energy technology, contributing collectively to a brighter and more sustainable future.