Rhenac has been nominated for the German Innovation Award 2026 for its CLS® (Complete Light Spectrum) technology, recognising a long-term research effort into the role of light in modern turf management.
Presented by the German Design Council, the award highlights innovations that deliver measurable value and contribute to sustainable development across industries. The nomination acknowledges CLS® as a solution addressing the increasing challenges faced by today’s stadium environments.
Modern stadium design continues to limit natural light due to enclosed roofs, higher stands and multi-use requirements. As a result, maintaining high-quality natural turf under intensive use has become significantly more complex, requiring new, more adaptive approaches.
CLS® was developed in response to these conditions. Instead of relying on fixed lighting schedules, the system enables grounds teams to adjust light spectrum and intensity based on plant requirements and environmental conditions. Developed over more than a decade in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich, the technology translates scientific insights into a practical tool for everyday stadium operations. It allows grounds teams to make more informed decisions, rather than relying on fixed routines.
As Horst Theisen, CEO of Rhenac, explains:
“This nomination reflects the work of many people over a long period of time — from researchers and engineers to grounds teams working in increasingly complex environments. What has been particularly important is the close collaboration with grounds professionals, whose practical experience and feedback have helped shape how this approach works in real stadium environments. It shows that the way we manage turf is evolving — towards a more precise understanding of how turf performs in controlled settings, and how these can be managed in practice.”
The technology is already in use in challenging environments with limited or no natural sunlight, including installations at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, VELTINS-Arena and Leigh Sports Village.
By aligning light application with plant needs, CLS® supports consistent turf performance while enabling a more targeted use of resources. As stadium requirements continue to evolve, this level of control is becoming increasingly important for maintaining natural playing surfaces.