Photonics Executive Board
The Board of Directors of the Photonics Association
Board Members: Ramona Eberhardt (Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF), Martin Hovestadt (Jüke Systemtechnik), Agnes Hübscher (Edmund Optics), Katrin Kobe, Marcus Knöbel (SCHOTT), Maik Müller (Nynomic), Dr. Bernhard Ohnesorge (ZEISS), Jan Schubach (POG), Matthias Schulze (Coherent), Thilo von Freyhold (Jenoptik)
Chair: Maik Müller (Nynomic)
Committees
An Overview of the Committees of the Photonics Division
Registration for Our SPECTARIS Committees
You can register for the association's committees through mySPECTARIS.
Photonics Industry Day
The SPECTARIS Photonics Industry Day is the trade association’s biannual member event. It serves as the most important forum for exchange among our members’ senior leadership. In addition to presenting current market figures, experts from the industry or from member companies provide insights into current challenges facing the industry or individual companies. Ongoing and planned SPECTARIS projects are regularly presented, and the association’s future priorities are discussed. The Executive Board and the Chair of the association are elected during the Industry Days.
Quantum Technologies Working Group
The working group focuses on topics at the intersection of photonics and quantum technologies, particularly those related to the commercialization of quantum technologies. The work centers on identifying, discussing, and establishing the association’s position on economic issues in the field of quantum technologies, such as the legal framework in Germany and Europe, export restrictions, dual-use items, market development, and intellectual property protection. Its cooperation partners are the regional innovation networks for optical technologies and quantum technologies, OptecNet Germany, as part of the joint alliance PHOTONICS GERMANY.
Cybersecurity Working Group
Ensuring the security of information and communication technology is of particular importance to SPECTARIS members who manufacture network-enabled devices and software. Cyberattacks—for example, on healthcare facilities with networked medical devices—are no longer just future scenarios but are already acute threats. To implement an appropriate level of state-of-the-art cybersecurity, the working group aims to develop a common understanding of cybersecurity and facilitate a dialogue on current technical and regulatory challenges.
Optical Materials Working Group under ROHS
The Optical Materials Working Group under RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) focuses on the ongoing development of EU substance regulations in the field of optical materials. The primary focus of this working group is therefore the regular preparation and submission of RoHS exemption applications for the substance classes relevant to the photonics industry. The goal is to provide companies potentially affected by such regulations with a high degree of planning certainty and to minimize their administrative burden.
Photonics Research Funding Working Group
This working group provides information and facilitates discussion on research funding at the national and European levels. Topics include, among others: Horizon Europe / Photonics 21, research funding from the BMBF and BMWK, and projects by the F.O.M. research association, a SPECTARIS partner. The working group’s responsibilities also include actively positioning SPECTARIS within the research funding landscape—for example, by jointly drafting position papers.
Environmental Law Working Group
The Environmental Law Working Group serves as a cross-association forum for sharing information and discussing regulatory requirements in this area. These include, for example, developments relevant to product manufacturers and distributors in the area of substance restrictions—including those under REACH, RoHS, California Proposition 65, and the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability—as well as packaging and waste legislation and other initiatives related to the European Green Deal. In addition, practical implementation issues faced by companies are discussed, and potential solutions are explored. Topics deemed particularly important by members are explored in greater depth through presentations by external experts. Between meetings, members receive up-to-date information on developments in environmental law and have the opportunity to provide input on specific legislative measures and current issues.
Photonics Working Group for Young Researchers
This working group discusses and provides information on the topic of attracting the next generation of photonics professionals. Topics include: STEM, recruiting apprentices, skilled workers, and college graduates; the use of social and traditional media; case studies; research; seminar and webinar offerings; and reforms to vocational training programs.
Security & Defense Section
The Security & Defense Section brings together manufacturers of components and systems for civil security and defense.
In addition to in-person meetings, dialogue takes place via videoconference and through the mySPECTARIS platform. Representatives of the Bundeswehr and civilian aid organizations are regularly included in these discussions.
Photonics Regulatory Affairs Forum
The Photonics Regulatory Affairs Forum provides an overview of national, European, and international regulatory requirements for products incorporating photonic technologies. Key topics deemed particularly important by the members are explored in greater depth during meetings with external experts and discussed within the group. Between meetings, members regularly receive up-to-date information on regulatory developments in the field of photonics and have the opportunity to provide input on specific legislative measures and current issues.
SPIE Wassenaar Laser Working Group
Our American partner association, SPIE, established the Wassenaar Working Group. Since 2020, SPECTARIS, together with its members, has been participating in the working group on a transnational basis. The working group is currently focused on laser technologies. However, there are plans to expand the group to include other technologies that fall under the provisions of the Wassenaar Arrangement.
During the working group’s meetings, specific industry proposals are developed and discussed. The goal is to develop internationally coordinated proposals from the industry to amend and supplement the provisions of the Wassenaar Arrangement and then present them during the annual rounds of negotiations among WA member states. For companies, the benefit of participating is that they can actively help shape the future export control regulations being developed under the Wassenaar Arrangement, exchange ideas with colleagues internationally, and contribute industry proposals in a more targeted manner.
Your Contacts
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 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
