Facts, Figures, and Publications

Facts and Figures on Photonics, a Key Technology

In 2023, the more than 1,000 German photonics companies, with their 190,000 employees, increased their revenue to approximately 54 billion euros. This result was driven by domestic business, which grew by seven percent, and international revenue, which grew by just under eight percent. The great importance of international business is reflected in the export ratio of 73 percent: over 39 billion euros in revenue was generated abroad. The German photonics industry makes a significant contribution to European photonics production.

An extensive collection of data and links on photonics in Germany, the global market, foreign trade, and key application areas is available exclusively to SPECTARIS members.

Photonics Trend Report 2025/2026

Industry Trends and Market Potential

In the new edition of the "Trend Report Photonics − Industry Trends and Market Potential 2025/2026," we once again provide insights into current topics in the photonics industry. The publication highlights key developments in the field of photonics and quantum technologies in Germany. It focuses on current research trends, innovations in photonics, and the role of precompetitive research funding. Special attention is given to the importance of standardization and ensuring strategic autonomy in a key technology of the future. The publication offers in-depth insights into political and technological decisions and shows how Germany can specifically strengthen its technological sovereignty in photonics.

In this issue, too, we’re featuring SPECTARIS member companies in the field of photonics.

Download the Photonics 2025/2026 Trend Report

 

 

SPECTARIS Publishes Report on Strategic Autonomy in Photonics in Germany

Photonics is a key technology for Germany.

It supplies key components and entire systems to other future-oriented industries in Germany, such as medical technology, automotive manufacturing, and the semiconductor sector. The new report on the strategic autonomy of photonics begins by defining the term, analyzes the degree of autonomy in the German photonics sector, and outlines measures to increase independence. “Even though the general supply chain difficulties have eased somewhat, the issue of ‘autonomy of key technologies’ must remain at the top of the political agenda so that Germany’s future viability is not jeopardized. Focusing on chips alone is not enough; other cutting-edge technologies at the front end of the value chain—such as photonics—must also be a priority,” cautioned Maik Müller, Chair of Photonics at the German industry association SPECTARIS and CEO of Nynomic AG, on the occasion of the association’s Industry Day on February 21 in Jena.

Download the study "Strategic Autonomy in Photonics in Germany"

Laser Sources: Market, Key Players, and Trends

Market Study Report

The global laser market is experiencing sustained growth, as shown by the new study “Laser Sources: Market, Players, and Trends” conducted by the consulting firm TEMATYS on behalf of OPTICA and SPECTARIS. After relatively modest growth between 2017 and 2020, the global market for laser sources rebounded quite rapidly in 2021 and 2022. The global market for laser sources is expected to reach a total value of 26.8 billion euros by 2027. This would correspond to an annual growth rate of 6.8 percent. According to the report, the outlook for growth is promising: High demand from both industry and consumers for systems and components that require laser sources has significantly accelerated sales, and there are no signs that this trend will be interrupted in the future. Demand for laser sources in material processing, sensor technology, communications, and defense will increase, as they play a crucial role in the innovation and growth of these industries.

The study is available exclusively to SPECTARIS members. If you are interested in the publication, please email photonics@spectaris.de.

 

Photonic Technologies for Agriculture

According to a study, photonics is a key factor in global food security

Photonics can drive technological progress in a wide range of fields and thus forms the indispensable foundation for technological advancement, without which society’s major challenges cannot be solved. Given the large number of people worldwide who lack access to sufficient or nutritious food, there is a great need for technological solutions that are sustainable and move away from conventional agriculture with its immense environmental impact. Photonics provides the building blocks for technical solutions that make agriculture more precise, faster, and more efficient. The technological concept behind these new and improved solutions can be summarized as precision agriculture, which is based on four technology families: robotics and automation, imaging and sensor technology, digitization and big data analytics, and bioengineering.

Download "Photonics for Agriculture" (ENG)

Photonics - Optical Technologies 2022/23

The Industry in Numbers and Policy Recommendations from SPECTARIS

In October 2022, the Photonics Trade Association released its first set of so-called “Talking Cards,” which provide a clear overview of the photonics industry.

Download Photonics - Optical Technologies 2022/23 (DE)

 

Photonics@China: Potential, Opportunities, and Risks of the Chinese Photonics Market

Market Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities for the German Photonics Industry in China

The growth prospects for the Chinese photonics market remain as strong as ever in the coming years. This clear forecast is presented in the market report “Photonics@China: Potentials, Opportunities, and Risks of the Chinese Photonics Market,” commissioned by the German industry association SPECTARIS and Messe München. Given the wide range of photonics applications, the study analyzes four subsectors of the industry: from LIDAR and ADAS sensors for autonomous driving, to advanced manufacturing technologies such as laser technology, to endoscopy and radiography in medical technology, as well as spectroscopy.

Download the Photonics@China 2022 Market Study (ENG)

Photonics@Quantum

Basic Photonic Technologies for Quantum Systems

The new market study “Photonics@Quantum: Basic Photonic Technologies for Quantum Systems” explores one of the most exciting emerging fields in photonics today: Quantum systems offer a wide range of opportunities for innovation thanks to their significant potential for use in computing and cryptography, sensor technology and imaging, communications, and medicine. The study examines in detail the central role that photonics plays as a key technology for the commercialization of quantum systems, while also highlighting the global, European, and German players in this future market.

Download the Photonics@Quantum 2022 Market Study (ENG)

Light as the Key to Global Environmental Sustainability

Study Shows: Photonics Will Enable at Least 11 Percent of Globally Agreed CO2 Reductions by 2030

1.1 billion metric tons lessCO2today and 3 billion metric tons by 2030: Photonics makes a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement—through reduced electricity consumption,CO2 emissions, or fertilizer use; through material savings; or through new recycling processes and technologies for environmental protection.

2030 is a milestone on the path to climate neutrality, which, according to the climate protection agreement, is to be achieved by 2050. The goal of the Paris Climate Agreement is to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.

Eleven percent ofthe CO2 emissions saved in 2030 will result directly or indirectly from applications of photonics. This is shown in the study “Light as the Key to Global Sustainability” by the industry association SPECTARIS and Messe München, in cooperation with Fraunhofer ILT and the Fraunhofer Light & Surfaces Network. The study describes the environmental benefits of selected technical applications of light and presents the underlying innovations. 

About the Study

Market Data for the Photonics Industry

 

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

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