Scaling Photonics – Ensuring Technological Sovereignty
Policy Recommendations from the PHOTONICS GERMANY Future Summit
Germany is one of the world’s leading centers for photonics. As a key technology, it forms the foundation for numerous fields of the future—from artificial intelligence and quantum technologies to modern manufacturing and security and defense applications. However, to ensure Germany’s long-term technological competitiveness, research achievements must be more effectively translated into industrial value creation, scalable production, and sustainable market leadership.
Against this backdrop, SPECTARIS and OptecNet Deutschland have drafted a joint position paper following the PHOTONICS GERMANY 2026 Future Summit. In it, the associations set forth specific recommendations for German and European research, innovation, and industrial policy.
Our key policy recommendations are therefore as follows:
1. Strengthen industrial scaling and value creation in Germany and Europe
2. Strategically anchor photonics in FP10 and in national research funding
3. Ensure predictable and transparent export licenses
The full position paper is now available for download.
Strengthening Germany's Quantum and Photonics Technologies
SPECTARIS Recommendations for Policymakers
Quantum technologies are key topics for the future in Germany and enable high-precision measurement methods, secure communication, and new forms of information processing. Germany already plays a leading role in this field, driven by excellent research, innovative startups, and established companies. Despite these strengths, industrial value creation remains limited because funding is often heavily concentrated on quantum computing, while other technologies closer to the market—such as quantum sensing and quantum communication—receive comparatively less attention. Furthermore, the activities of the federal government, the states, and the EU have not been sufficiently coordinated to date. Photonics—the control of light quanta—serves as the foundation for nearly all quantum technologies and many high-tech applications; without targeted support for this field, a central pillar of innovative strength risks becoming fragile. Policy guidance is crucial for technological sovereignty, value creation, and resilience. Our key policy recommendations are therefore:
1. Promote scalable quantum technologies: Prioritize sensor technology, communications, software, and pilot projects;
Accelerate market introduction.
2. Better coordinate funding and organizational structures: Consolidated, long-term instrumentsare needed at
the national and EU levels.
3. Build robust infrastructure: Securetest environments (testbeds), pilot lines, and European photonics manufacturing
to ensure stable supply chains and an industrial base.
4. Strengthen the next generation and talent: Expand degree programs, centers of excellence, continuing education, and the immigration of skilled workers
.
The position paper was presented on November 26, 2025, as part of a research policy exchange.
The photonics industry is committed to
Numerous environmental and occupational safety directives—most of which apply throughout Europe—present manufacturers with the complex challenge of ensuring their production processes comply with regulations. In particular, the RoHS substance ban, the REACH chemicals regulation, and the handling of conflict minerals are major concerns for the industry.
European Conflict Minerals Regulation
On June 8, 2017, the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation entered into force. Under this regulation, companies that import tin, tantalum, tungsten, or gold into the EU are required to exercise due diligence with regard to their supply chains.
RoHS Directive
The RoHS Directive stipulates that lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) must be replaced by other substances in electrical and electronic equipment. SPECTARIS is advocating for the continuation of the exemption for lead and cadmium in glass, which was granted as early as 2011.
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What Our Members Say
Advancing Photonics
Photonics is one of the most innovative key industries and places high demands on the organizations that represent its interests. SPECTARIS meets these demands in a compelling manner. As a strong industry association, SPECTARIS effectively represents the interests of its members in the political, business, and social spheres, while also promoting exchange and networking within the industry. We thank SPECTARIS for this commitment and greatly value our trusting collaboration.
Dr. Ralf Kuschnereit, JENOPTIK AG
The high level of commitment shown by SPECTARIS employees is exemplary and provides lasting support to the network.
With SPECTARIS, we have a partner at our side that represents the interests of our company as well as those of the photonics industry in Germany and beyond. We benefit from the outstanding technical expertise at their industry events and are happy to contribute our own knowledge. The high level of commitment shown by SPECTARIS staff is exemplary and provides lasting support to the network.
Simon Schwinger, Jabil Optics Germany GmbH
Great added value for our work.
German high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—of which we are a part—have a powerful industry association in SPECTARIS, which brings together the interests of its member companies, represents them in political circles, and conducts active industry marketing both domestically and abroad. We are actively involved in the photonics and medical technology trade associations, where we actively contribute our interests and expertise and take advantage of SPECTARIS’s networking opportunities and various services (seminars, industry data).
Dr. Andreas Nitze, Country Manager for Germany, ASML Berlin GmbH
We benefit from this strong network.
We benefit from the strong network, the professional expertise, and the cutting-edge information that SPECTARIS provides to its members. Whether it’s events, specialist group meetings, or seminars—everything is of the highest quality and tailored to the members’ needs.
Michael Kneier, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, eagleyard Photonics GmbH
We are both a manufacturer of specialty light sources and a solutions provider.
We are both manufacturers of specialty light sources and solution providers. Our products cover the technically usable wavelengths of the invisible light spectrum. It is important to demonstrate the potential applications of specialty light sources and the innovations that technical light sources will enable in the future. An event like the International Day of Light serves as a bridge for communicating with users.
Dr. Christian Pels, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Innovation at Heraeus Noblelight
Membership in a strong association supports our successful growth.
In the century of photonics, laservision—a medium-sized manufacturer of laser safety products for the international market—particularly values active advocacy and knowledge sharing in a political and economic environment that is becoming increasingly dynamic worldwide. Membership in a strong association, with opportunities for close dialogue—especially within our Photonics Division—supports our successful growth in the key technology of optics.
Dirk Breitenberger, Managing Director of Laservision GmbH & Co. KG
A trusted voice for photonics in a complex regulatory environment
As a medium-sized photonics company active in the fields of quantum technology, life sciences, and measurement technology, we are increasingly confronted with complex regulatory and political frameworks. These range from export regulations to European legislation and rising environmental requirements. Spectaris has been a competent and reliable partner for us for many years. The association brings together the interests of the industry, effectively represents them in political dialogue at the national and European levels, and provides guidance in a challenging environment. This form of advocacy is of central importance, especially for technology-driven companies.
Dr. Thomas Renner, Executive Board Member (CSO), TOPTICA Photonics SE
National advocacy group puts the spotlight on the industry
Laser Components benefits from the industry association in a variety of ways. As a company, we value the broad exchange of information within the working groups—whether in human resources, marketing, or export control, customs, and foreign trade practices. For our industry, Spectaris also serves as a political voice—the Photonics Trade Association not only maintains constant communication with the BMWi and BMBF ministries but also provides information on European initiatives.
Patrick Paul, Managing Director of LASER COMPONENTS GmbH
In this way, SPECTARIS plays a key role in creating a reliable framework and promoting sustainable innovation and the industry’s long-term viability.
For over 80 years, Edmund Optics has been supporting its customers worldwide through two complementary business models: a marketplace for the fast delivery of its own products and those of leading brands, and the Advanced Manufacturing Service, which offers customized solutions from development through to series production. Partnerships and close collaboration are key factors in our success. This makes SPECTARIS’s work all the more valuable to us: The association fosters professional exchange, effectively connects the industry, and vigorously represents its interests to policymakers and government agencies. In this way, SPECTARIS plays a key role in creating reliable framework conditions and promoting sustainable innovation and the industry’s long-term viability.
Agnes Hübscher, Marketing Director for Europe, Edmund Optics GmbH
The association offers services that are perfectly tailored to our needs.
Our industry association, SPECTARIS, is a strong advocate for the interests of medium-sized, owner-managed companies like ours. It is just as important to us that the association provides a platform for open dialogue among member companies and offers services—such as industry reports and events focused on specific topics—that are perfectly tailored to our needs.
Managing Partners of Jüke Systemtechnik GmbH, Martin Hovestadt (left) and Heinrich Jürgens (right)
A Voice for Innovative Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
In the century of the photon, we need an advocacy group that is both strong and responsive. For us, as providers and consultants for the most innovative products on the global photonics market, this institution is particularly important. We know our interests (e.g., in the area of foreign trade) are in good hands, and we can focus on what matters most: satisfying our customers.
Andreas Börner, Managing Director of Laser 2000 GmbH
Here, sharing means multiplying!
As an industry institution, SPECTARIS serves as both an ambassador and a champion for INGENERIC. Membership provides quick access to topic areas and key contacts, while also offering the flexibility to shape the communication of relevant topics. As part of this community, we benefit from outstanding expertise and personal connections.
Dr. Olaf Rübenach, Managing Director of INGENERIC GmbH
