The history of Luma begins with the start up of Kooperativa Förbundets KF’s light-bulb factory in the beginning of the 1930’s. The productions started as a protest against the two main manufacturers of light-bulbs on the Swedish market and their high prices.
The first Luma light-bulb was produced in 1931. In 1947, more that 1 350 people were employed and 50 000 bulbs in 4 000 models were produced every day.
The success lead to a development in products as well as processes. In 1935 Tungsten wire was added to the production program. Molybdenum followed in 1943.
Luma started Gold plating grid wire for electron tubes in 1954. Luma also started its own manufacturing of tungsten wire from Swedish tungsten powder.
In 1976 all wire production was relocated to Kalmar.
In 1994 Luma became an independent manufacturer. About 10 years later, in 2003, all production of filaments was stopped and the business direction was transformed. Focus was now set on gold plated and polished wire.
Early in 2025, Luma Wire Tech started a program to upgrade existing lines and to expand with new state-of-the-art production lines.
This will:
• create more and faster product and application development;
• further optimize its products’ quality, and;
• substantially enlarge the current capacities to produce the broad range of high-tech fine wires.
Since then the target markets for Luma have changed a lot.
After the classical light bulbs were banned and replaced by LED technology Luma had to find other application areas. During the last 8-10 years following application areas expanded a lot:
These are only some examples. Luma supports and works together with a large number of Research institutes and labs all over the world. Universities are in touch with Luma nearly every day and sometimes can give leads to interesting projects.
Thus Luma focussed even more on plating technology and Ultra Fine Wire drawing, even though some of Luma´s traditional customers f.ex. in the application areas of micro bulbs, printing or heating (automotive) are still active. Also the market for musical strings is stable and some of the leading producers of musical strings for violas, violins, harps and others can be found among Luma´s customers. These require Tungsten wire in rather strong dimensions whereas other growing application areas such as medical and antennas need more finer and often gold plated wires.
Customizing has become a core competence at Luma. As a very specialized small company with much Know How involved our highly educated employees can assist our customers in developing and designing their products.
Luma is certificated according to ISO standards 9001 and 14001. Apart from that Luma provides all kind of certification required by customers for sensitive areas such as medical or space use.
Lots of testing is done by Luma itself. Luma has a well equiped high tech laboratory which provides analyzing services for any kind of material.
For the years to come Luma expects a further push in the areas of medical applications, research and communication technology in space.
Earth Observation (low earth orbit)
Telecommunication
Science and Interplanetary
Our Commitment to Long-Term Space Collaborations
V-band frequency is very high with 40-75 GHz. The higher frequencies are used the finer the mesh must be, the number of OPI (openings per inch) must be higher.
Large satellites (weight over 50 kgs) represent about a quarter of all satellites build and cover over 90 % of the generated turnover. Earth Observation is the most important field of use with approximately 50 % followed by telecom with 30-40 %. The business potential is huge and quickly growing.
USA is the worldwide leading player for Satellite Antenna systems in Space. But Europe is investing heavily trying to reach an independency in Space Activities.
EC co-funded activity on LEA (Large European Antenna), followed by LEOB (Large European Antenna for Earth Observation) in H2020 Program was the starting point for the development of the complete LDRS subsystem, cumulating in the selection of LDRS as reflector solution for the CIMR mission (EU Copernicus program) which will last until 2026-2028.
There is a trend to higher frequencies like KA band (30-40 GHZ) or even V-Band. Not so much X-band any longer.
Expectations: 7-14 reflectors over 4 m / year for the next 10 years, worldwide . The european share: 2 reflector sales per year for reflectors < 9 meters and 1 reflector every 2 years.
Development cost and time including in-orbit testing for larger antennas are enormous and take minimum 4-5 years, for smaller foldable reflector targeting Ka band: 3 years.
This means that LUMA have to be very consistant in quality in order to build and beware longterm business relationships with the major players all over the world.
Most of the orders for mesh wire come from institutional side or from companies working strongly related to governments. But the part of the private investors is increasing, e.g.:
Luma Wire Tech AB
VAT No: SE556466410901
Swedish Registration No: 556466-4109
DUNS No. (International registration No.): 357311950
07:30 – 16:00 (GMT + 1)
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Luma Wire Tech AB
Amerikavaegen 5
SE-393 56 Kalmar
SWEDEN
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