AUSTIN, Texas & EINDHOVEN, Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 11, 2025--
Fluence, a leading global provider of energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for commercial cannabis production, will unveil its latest horticultural innovation—the Red Sandwich —at MJBizCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Attendees can see it alongside Fluence’s newest fixtures, including RAPTR 2, PYTHN, SPYDR 3, and VYPR 4, at Booth #15023.
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Developed over years of research into light intensity, spectrum, and distribution, the Red Sandwich, patent pending, represents a major advancement in controlled-environment cannabis lighting. By strategically balancing high-red spectra and intensity delivered simultaneously through top and under-canopy lighting, Fluence achieved photon efficiency of 3.4 µmol/J which resulted in up to 26% less energy used, while improving flower uniformity and helping eliminate photobleaching.
“Red Sandwich is a perfect example of how disciplined science leads to practical innovation,” said Dr. David Hawley, principal scientist at Fluence. “By repositioning high-red light beneath the canopy and pairing it with complementary high-red top light, we’ve unlocked new levels of efficiency and consistency across the plant. It’s not just about producing more light—it’s about putting photons where the plant needs them most.”
Fluence will also showcase RAPTR 2, its next-generation toplight featuring dynamic red-plus-white spectrum control that uses up to 20% less energy.
“RAPTR 2 reflects the next stage of evolution in dynamic lighting,” added Hawley. “By giving growers precise control over spectral balance, we enable fine-tuned plant responses throughout flowering, maintain quality at higher intensities, and push efficiency further than ever.”
Additional products on display include PYTHN, Fluence’s purpose-built under-canopy lighting designed to strengthen lower-canopy development and boost A-grade bud production; VYPR 4, the next-generation greenhouse toplight for high-output operations; and SPYDR 3, the latest generation of the breakthrough multi-tier lighting solution introduced at MJBizCon 10 years ago.
Together, these solutions demonstrate how precision control and science-backed design are reshaping efficiency, quality and yield for commercial cannabis operations.
About Fluence
Fluence Bioengineering, Inc. (Fluence) creates powerful and energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for commercial crop production and research applications. Fluence is a leading LED lighting supplier in the global cannabis market, committed to enabling more efficient crop production for the world’s top greenhouse and indoor growers. Fluence, part of Signify’s Agricultural Lighting division, operates in Austin, Texas (Americas), and Eindhoven, Netherlands (EMEA). For more information about Fluence, visit www.fluence-led.com.
New VYPR 4 Top Light from Fluence
MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — Iraq overcame major logistical issues to become the 48th and final team to secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup with a 2-1 win over Bolivia in an intercontinental playoff Tuesday, ending a wait of four decades to return to soccer's marquee global event.
Ali Almahadi opened the scoring in the 18th minute, Moises Paniagua tied it for Bolivia in the 38th and Aymen Hussein scored the clincher in the 53rd minute for Iraq. The Iraq team will join Group I along with France, Norway and Senegal.
“We have nothing to lose, let’s try to shock the world with a crazy result and performance. It is great that we qualified,” Iraq coach Graham Arnold said. “It is a privilege for us."
Arnold, who guided Australia at the 2022 World Cup, said he didn't think his Iraqi players had faced the likes of France star Kylian Mbappe or Norway's Erling Haaland.
"It will be an honor. We respect those players and what they do, but we will try to win.”
Iraq will be back at the World Cup for the first time since Mexico 1986, kicking off June 16 against Norway at Foxborough, followed by games against France on June 22 at Philadelphia and Senegal at Toronto on June 26.
Bolivia missed out on qualifying for its second World Cup.
“What remains is pain and frustration; we feel devastated by the result," Bolivia coach Oscar Villegas said. “These young men lost with honor on the field and gave everything to achieve the result, but unfortunately, the country missed out on the World Cup.”
The match was played in front of 49,286 fans at the BBVA stadium in Monterrey, one of three host cities in Mexico for the World Cup.
“I’ve got to give full credit to the players — their fighting spirit was unreal,” Arnold said in comments posted on fifa.com. "They put their body on the line, and 46 million people are proud.”
Earlier this month, Iraq faced uncertainty about even been able to contest the playoffs. The war in Iran resulted in Iraqi players being stranded because their country’s airspace was closed, preventing the team from using commercial flights to leave. Team officials officially asked FIFA to postpone the playoff match.
“Everything that is going on in the Middle East made it a little bit harder but the main thing I said, and I worked very hard on, was their mentality,” Graham said. “I banned social media since the day we got here. I did not want them to think of what is going on in the Middle East because they had to focus on the job we had here.”
The team also faced visa complications because Mexico does not have an embassy in Iraq and players struggled to obtain visas. But the issue was resolved when the Mexico's foreign affairs ministry facilitated visas at other regional embassies.
The team finally arrived in Monterrey on March 21 after a 25-hour journey that included navigating travel restrictions and a stopover in Portugal.
Congo scored in extra time to edge Jamaica 1-0 earlier Tuesday to become the 47th of 48 teams that will play at the World Cup.
Axel Tuanzebe scored following a corner kick in the 100th minute. The Jamaican defenders failed to clear the ball and Tuanzebe, who plays for Burnley in the English Premier League tapped it into the net.
Congo has never played in a World Cup under that name, although it participated in the 1974 edition in Germany as Zaire.
With its victory in the intercontinental playoff at the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, Congo completed Group K at the World Cup, where it will face Colombia, Portugal, and Uzbekistan.
“We’re going to enjoy the qualification, but we’ll keep working. We know we’ll be facing top nations who play in the World Cup every four years," Congo captain Chancel Mbemba said. "We’ll stay humble, keep our feet on the ground, and continue to work. We’ll give everything to make our supporters and our people proud.”
The Jamaica team, known as the Reggae Boyz, missed out on what would have been a second World Cup appearance.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Iraq's Aymen Hussein celebrates scoring his side's 2nd goal during the World Cup playoff final soccer match between Iraq and Bolivia in Monterrey, Mexico, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Iraq's Ali Al-Hamadi, right, celebrates scoring his side's opening goal during the World Cup playoff final soccer match between Iraq and Bolivia in Monterrey, Mexico, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Iraq's Aymen Hussein, left, is congratulated after scoring his side's 2nd goal during the World Cup playoff final soccer match between Iraq and Bolivia in Monterrey, Mexico, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
DR Congo's players celebrate at the end of the World Cup playoff final soccer match between DR Congo and Jamaica in Guadalajara, Mexico, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
DR Congo's players celebrate at the end of the World Cup playoff final soccer match between DR Congo and Jamaica in Guadalajara, Mexico, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
