Petrel
Petrel Ltd is a UK manufacturer of ATEX/IECEx-certified LED hazardous area lighting luminaires, serving industrial customers in petrochemical, automotive, steel, water, pharmaceutical, and logistics sectors via direct sales and a global distributor network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersBirmingham, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Petrel does
Petrel Ltd is a UK-based manufacturer of explosion-protected LED lighting luminaires for hazardous area applications, serving industrial customers in petrochemical, oil & gas, automotive manufacturing, steel, water/wastewater, pharmaceutical, and logistics sectors. The company designs and manufactures ATEX, IECEx, and UKCA certified products from a 3,650 sqm facility in Birmingham, with a portfolio spanning the LED Area Flood Light Family (Gen 3), 9 Series linear luminaires, 7 Series Zone 1 enclosures, 6 Series/660L bulkheads, XN Series Zone 2 luminaires, and Portable/Transportable luminaires. Technical differentiators include proprietary LED light engine technology achieving up to 163 luminaire lumens per circuit Watt efficacy, 50,000+ hour rated life, marine grade aluminium construction, and operation in extreme temperature ranges up to 100°C, with warranties up to 5 years.
The company operates a B2B model combining direct UK sales with a global distributor network spanning ~15 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Africa; UK stockists include Rexel, Edmundson Electrical, Dron & Dickson, and CEF. Petrel monetizes through hardware sales of certified luminaires and bundles a free professional lighting design service using Relux and AutoCAD to lock in specifications at the project design stage. Petrel Ltd was founded in 1984 (with origins in the 1930s), joining Pioneer Safety Group in February 2024 and subsequently becoming part of Cognesense, a worldwide environmental measurement and protection technology company, in April 2026; the company employs 30+ people and operates with shift-based manufacturing.
Petrel firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Petrel
- Legal name
- Petrel Ltd.
- Website
- https://petrel-ex.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Petrel Ltd is a UK manufacturer of ATEX/IECEx-certified LED hazardous area lighting luminaires, serving industrial customers in petrochemical, automotive, steel, water, pharmaceutical, and logistics sectors via direct sales and a global distributor network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Petrel industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Lighting
- NAICS
- Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Electric Lighting Fixture Manufacturing (335132), Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (33513)
- SIC
- Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hazardous Location & Explosion-Proof Lighting (ATEX/IECEx, intrinsically safe fixtures) (IMAGAIAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial & Commercial Luminaires (High-bay, Low-bay, Troffers, Downlights) (IMAGAIAA), Outdoor & Area Lighting (Street, Roadway, Parking, Flood, Sports/Architectural exterior) (IMAGAIAB), LED Drivers, Ballasts & Power Modules for Lighting (Constant-current/voltage drivers, ballasts, control gear) (IMAGAIAJ)
Keywords
Where Petrel is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Birmingham
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Petrel business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Hazardous Area LED Lighting Products: Sale of ATEX/IECEx/UKCA certified LED luminaires including Area Flood, Linear, Bulkhead, Portable, and Transportable ranges for hazardous area applications. Products sold directly and through distributor network globally.
- Lighting Design Services: Free professional lighting design service provided to customers using Petrel products. Includes Relux visualization, photometric calculations, 3D renderings, and site surveys to ensure optimal lighting solutions.
- Signalling Integration (via Ex-Tech Signalling): Through Pioneer Safety Group partner Ex-Tech Signalling, provides ATEX/IECEx audible and visual devices including beacons, sounders, and call points for complete hazardous-area solutions.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Petrel product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Petrel manufactures ATEX/IECEx/UKCA certified LED luminaires for hazardous area environments (Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 21, Zone 22) and Industrial applications. The portfolio includes LED Area Flood Lights, Linear luminaires (9 Series, 7 Series, XN Series), Bulkhead luminaires (6 Series / 660L), and Portable/Transportable luminaires, all designed, engineered, and built at its 3,650 sqm facility in Birmingham, UK. The company also provides a free professional lighting design service using Relux visualisation software.
Product overview
Petrel is a UK manufacturer of hazardous area lighting solutions offering a comprehensive portfolio of LED and traditional fluorescent luminaires designed for Zone 1, Zone 2, and Industrial applications. The product range centers on the LED Area Light Family (available in Mini, Midi, and Maxi sizes), the 9 Series linear luminaires, the 7 Series Zone 1 enclosures (including Safety Shower variants), the 6 Series/660L bulkhead luminaires, the XN Series Zone 2 luminaires, and the Portable Luminaire Family for temporary and transportable applications. The company also provides professional lighting design services using Relux and AutoCAD software, available free to customers purchasing Petrel products. All products are ATEX, IECEx, and UKCA certified and backed by warranties up to 5 years.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Area Flood Light Family: LED Area Flood Light range available in 3 frame sizes (Mini, Midi, Maxi) certified for Zone 1/21, 2/22 and Industrial applications, with lumen outputs from 2,800 to 25,500
- 9 Series
- 7 Series
- 6 Series
- XN Series
- Portable Luminaire Family
- 660L LED
Products and services
- LED Area Light Family LED Area Flood light range available in three sizes (Mini, Midi, Maxi) with lumen outputs from 2,800 to 25,500 lumens. Certified for Zone 1/21, 2/22 and Industrial applications with up to 5-year warranty and efficacy up to 163 luminaire lumens per circuit Watt. Designed for hazardous area operators in petrochemical, heavy industry and offshore applications.
- 9 Series Luminaire Linear luminaire family available in LED and Traditional Fluorescent technology. Manufactured from heavy duty aluminium extrusion with polycarbonate end caps and diffuser. IP65 rated, Zone 1/22 certified, temperature range -20° to +55°C. Sizes from 2ft to 5ft with light output up to 5,265 Lumens (LED) or 10,400 lumens (Fluorescent). Targeted at Zone 1 hazardous area installations in petrochemical, water and industrial applications.
- 7 Series Ex d LED Luminaire Zone 1/21 certified luminaire family available in LED and Fluorescent variants with IP66 ingress protection. Marine grade aluminium end caps, sizes from 1ft to 5ft with light output up to 6,675 Lumens (LED) or 12,400 Lumens (Fluorescent). Includes Safety Shower LED luminaire variant for emergency wash station illumination. Used in offshore, petrochemical and heavy industry hazardous area applications.
- 6 Series / 660L LED Bulkhead Heavy duty versatile bulkhead luminaire for hazardous areas with up to 3,500lm output suitable for Zone 1 gas and Zone 21 dust environments. Features integral terminal chamber, external earthing, fixed or pivoting mounting brackets. Temperature range -20°C to +100°C versions available. Targeted at hot ambient hazardous area environments.
- XN Series Luminaire Linear luminaire family with moulded GRP body and polycarbonate diffuser. Available in LED and Fluorescent variants, designated as 'unrestricted breathing' equipment meaning no testing required during routine maintenance inspections. IP65 rated, suitable for Zone 2/22 and safe area installation. Sizes from 2ft to 5ft with light output up to 6,637 Lumens. Targeted at Zone 2 hazardous area operators seeking low-maintenance luminaires.
- Portable Luminaire Family Portable and transportable LED luminaire range certified for Zone 1, 21, 2, 22 applications. Up to 12,500 lumen output, temperature range -40° to +55°C. Features IK10 impact rating, linkable via ATEX approved plug & socket arrangements. Includes PLX portable handheld range for Zone 0 rated applications. Targeted at maintenance, shutdown and temporary lighting needs in hazardous areas.
- Traditional Technology Products Legacy fluorescent luminaire products for hazardous areas, now only available on request. Includes Well Glass and Bulkhead luminaires for Zone 1/21 applications with wide range of light source options including GLS, SON, and LED. Heavy duty marine grade aluminium construction with Ex de protection concept. Targeted at supporting existing installed base customers.
- Lighting Design Services Professional lighting design service using Relux visualisation Software and AutoCAD packages. Produces accurate and dynamic 3D renderings of projects to ensure cost-effective design. Free of charge to all customers using Petrel products, with full site survey capability. Targeted at engineers, EPCs and end users specifying hazardous area lighting projects.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 25% reduction in fitting count when replacing traditional technology with LED Area Light 150W (156 lumens per circuit Watt)
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Petrel
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Petrel technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Petrel partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Electrical Consulting ServicesminorConsulting partner on L'Oréal New Zealand project providing electrical and lighting design consultancy services for Zone 2 hazardous area lighting specification.
- Rexel Lighting SolutionscoreUK stockist holding full range of Petrel ATEX approved lighting products including Area Flood range in Zone 1 & 2. Products available at any Rexel branch on next-day delivery UK wide.
- CTTC UKminorUK-based CompEx training provider partnership where Petrel supplies lighting products for hazardous area training courses, supporting competency development in explosive atmospheres.
- Phoenix Trading LLCcoreUAE distribution partner established in 1979 with 46 years of UAE market experience. Represents Petrel at ADIPEC exhibitions and serves EPCs and end users in oil & gas, petrochemicals, and industrial applications across the UAE and MEA region. Provides local presence, regulatory knowledge, and relationship-led service.
- Techlight LtdcoreNew Zealand distributor based in Rotorua. Partnered on L'Oréal Auckland distribution centre project achieving 6-Star Green Star certification. Provides local support for hazardous area lighting specifications in New Zealand.
- Ex-Tech SignallingcorePioneer Safety Group brand providing ATEX/IECEx audible and visual warning devices (beacons, sounders, call points, combination units). Joint marketing and coordinated specification with Petrel luminaires for complete hazardous-area safety solutions.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Petrel competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- R. Stahl: R. Stahl is a German specialist in explosion protection, offering ATEX/IECEx certified luminaires, control gear, and safety equipment for hazardous areas, with a comparable Zone 1/2/21/22 product portfolio and similar end-market focus on petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and offshore customers.
- Dialight: Dialight is a specialist industrial LED hazardous area lighting manufacturer focused on oil & gas, mining, and heavy industrial applications, with comparable Zone 1/2/21/22 luminaires and a strong efficiency-led value proposition overlapping Petrel's LED Area Flood and Linear ranges.
- Bartec: Bartec is a German manufacturer of explosion-protected electrical equipment including hazardous area luminaires, control stations, and signalling devices, directly comparable to Petrel's certified lighting portfolio and the broader Pioneer Safety Group / Cognesense offering.
Broad incumbents
- Pepperl+Fuchs: Pepperl+Fuchs is a global leader in explosion protection and intrinsic safety, offering hazardous area luminaires, control products, and connectivity solutions serving process industries that overlap with Petrel's petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and oil & gas customer base.
- Hubbell (Killark / Chalmit): Hubbell's Killark and Chalmit divisions produce explosion-proof luminaires for Zone 1/2 hazardous areas, serving oil & gas, petrochemical, and marine/offshore markets with a comparable ATEX/IECEx certified product range to Petrel.
- Signify (Philips Lighting): Signify offers a hazardous area and industrial LED lighting portfolio alongside its broader consumer and professional lighting business, competing with Petrel on large multi-region industrial tenders where global service coverage is a procurement requirement.
- Glamox: Glamox is a Norwegian professional lighting manufacturer with a strong marine and offshore hazardous area lighting portfolio, including ATEX-certified luminaires for the same Zone 1/2 oil & gas and shipyard end markets Petrel serves from its UK base.
- Emerson (Appleton): Emerson's Appleton brand manufactures hazardous location lighting, enclosures, and electrical products certified to ATEX/IECEx standards, competing head-to-head with Petrel in oil & gas, petrochemical, and industrial hazardous area installations worldwide.
- Eaton (Crouse-Hinds): Eaton's Crouse-Hinds division is a global leader in explosion-proof and hazardous area lighting and electrical equipment, offering a comprehensive Zone 1/2/21/22 portfolio that directly competes with Petrel in petrochemical, oil & gas, and heavy industrial applications.
Others
- Petrel-adjacent distributor partner - Zumtobel Group: Zumtobel Group is listed as a Petrel distribution partner for Africa but is itself a major European professional lighting manufacturer with an industrial and hazardous-area portfolio, making it both an indirect channel partner and a partial competitor in large European projects.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Petrel social profiles
Digital presencePetrel compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Petrel financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Petrel leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Petrel funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Petrel M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Petrel
What does Petrel do?
Petrel manufactures ATEX/IECEx/UKCA certified LED luminaires for hazardous area environments (Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 21, Zone 22) and Industrial applications. The portfolio includes LED Area Flood Lights, Linear luminaires (9 Series, 7 Series, XN Series), Bulkhead luminaires (6 Series / 660L), and Portable/Transportable luminaires, all designed, engineered, and built at its 3,650 sqm facility in Birmingham, UK. The company also provides a free professional lighting design service using Relux visualisation software.
Is Petrel a public or private company?
Petrel is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Petrel founded?
Petrel was founded in 1984. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Petrel based?
Petrel is headquartered in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Petrel make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hazardous Area LED Lighting Products are the primary driver. The others are lighting Design Services and signalling Integration (via Ex-Tech Signalling).
Who are Petrel's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are R. Stahl, Dialight and Bartec. Broad incumbents are Pepperl+Fuchs, Hubbell (Killark / Chalmit), Signify (Philips Lighting), Glamox, Emerson (Appleton) and Eaton (Crouse-Hinds). Petrel-adjacent distributor partner - Zumtobel Group is listed as an others.
Does Petrel have an API?
No public API is recorded for Petrel.
What industry is Petrel in?
Petrel's product category is Industrial Lighting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAIAC, Hazardous Location & Explosion-Proof Lighting (ATEX/IECEx, intrinsically safe fixtures), with a secondary code of IMAGAIAA, Industrial & Commercial Luminaires (High-bay, Low-bay, Troffers, Downlights). Its NAICS code is 335132 and its SIC code is 3640.