Focus on Industries of the Future
A study shows growth potential through 2040
Which industries will shape Germany's economy of the future?
A recent study by the FutureManagementGroup, conducted in cooperation with the German industry association SPECTARIS, examines the future potential of various industrial sectors in Germany through 2040. The study shows that, despite economic and political challenges, certain industries have significant growth potential.
The analysis evaluates 25 industrial sectors based on key transformation scenarios and identifies the ten sectors with the greatest future potential. Particularly encouraging: The sectors represented by SPECTARIS—analytical, laboratory, and medical technology, as well as optics and photonics—are among the top 10.
The Top 10 Industries of the Future in Germany
The study identified the following ten industries with the greatest future potential:
- Biotechnology Industry
- Logistics and Packaging Industry
- Environmental and Recycling Industry
- Analytical, Laboratory, and Medical Technology
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industries
- Optics and Photonics
- Bicycle Industry (including micromobility solutions)
- Food Industry
- Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries
- Aerospace Industry
Five key future trends are shaping the development of the industry
The study is based on a comprehensive assessment of technological and economic developments. Five major drivers of transformation were identified as crucial to the future of the German economy:
- Increases in computing power and data volumes—exponential growth in computing capacity, cloud technologies, and quantum computing.
- Productivity Gains Through Artificial Intelligence—Automation, Machine Learning, and Autonomous Systems.
- Work Becomes a Hobby (Automation Through Robotics) – The Growing Use of Robotics in Manufacturing and Services.
- Rising life expectancy—higher healthcare spending, personalized medicine, and new treatment methods.
- More Sustainable Business Practices – Circular Economy, Resource-Efficient Production, and Emissions Reduction.
The industries examined were evaluated based on these criteria and compiled into a top 10 list of the most promising industries of the future.
"Our study shows that technology-driven industries, in particular, have enormous potential. They can capitalize on the opportunities presented by major transformative changes—provided they invest with a healthy dose of risk-taking and optimism about the future." – Prof. Dr. Pero Mićić, CEO of FutureManagementGroup AG
The Role of SPECTARIS Industries in the Future
The SPECTARIS industries highlighted in the study are characterized by a high level of innovation, growing markets, and international competitiveness.
Here you will find a brief overview of each area:
Analytical and Laboratory Technology
This industry benefits particularly from technological advances in digitalization, automation, and quantum computing.
Key developments:
- Quantum Computing for High-Performance Analysis – Revolutionary Advances in Diagnostics and Drug Discovery.
- AI-powered diagnostic solutions – Automated analytics and connected laboratory environments increase efficiency and precision.
- Sustainable Laboratory Processes – Resource-efficient materials and process optimization reduce environmental impact.
Medical Technology
The medical technology sector is one of Germany's most important industries for the future and plays a central role in healthcare.
Key trends:
- Telemedicine & Digital Platforms – Improved Patient Care Regardless of Location or Time.
- Robotics in Surgery – Automated assistance systems increase precision and efficiency in the operating room.
- Challenges – Regulations such as the MDR could slow down innovation processes.
Optics
The optics industry continues to evolve through smart vision solutions, AI-powered diagnostics, and telemedicine.
Key developments:
- Holographic Technologies & Adaptive Vision Aids – Glasses of the Future Can Dynamically Adjust Vision Correction.
- Smart Contact Lenses & Health Monitoring – Measuring health parameters such as blood sugar levels.
- Sustainable Production & Recycling – Environmentally Friendly Materials and the Circular Economy Are Gaining Importance.
Photonics
Photonics is a key technology for digital innovations and sustainable production processes.
Of particular relevance are:
- Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) & Quantum Communication – More Efficient High-Performance Data Centers and Secure Optical Data Transmission.
- Photonic Recycling Processes – Optical technologies enable more efficient material separation and recycling.
- Biophotonics in Medical Technology – Light-Based Diagnostics Improve Early Detection and Treatment Options.
A Call to Action for Politicians and the Business Community
The study shows that the identified future industries are crucial to Germany's economic competitiveness. However, targeted policy measures are needed to enable them to reach their full potential:
- Innovation-friendly regulation—reducing bureaucracy, streamlining approval processes, and creating an innovation-friendly environment.
- Promotion of key technologies—investments in digital infrastructure, quantum computing, and photonic circuits.
- Strengthening international competitiveness—Germany must advocate at the EU level for programs such as the "Chips Act 2.0."
- Securing a Skilled Workforce – Continuing Education Programs in Optics, Photonics, AI, and Robotics.
Conclusion
The study underscores that technology-driven industries play a central role in Germany’s economic development. With the right strategy, innovations can be brought to market more quickly, technological leadership can be secured, and sustainable production methods can be established.
SPECTARIS will continue to actively advocate for the interests of its member companies and the
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Head of Association Communications (+49 (0)160 96248837)
What Our Members Say
SPECTARIS acts as a strong association that vigorously represents the interests of its members in the political, business, and social spheres.
“SPECTARIS acts as a strong association that vigorously represents its members’ interests in the political, business, and social spheres. As members, we have the opportunity to actively raise our concerns and help shape the agenda to ensure that our voice is heard in relevant political and social discussions. In addition, through SPECTARIS, we have access to a broad network of companies, experts, and decision-makers from the high-tech industry. This allows us to forge valuable contacts and leverage synergies. Through this exchange, we and other members can benefit from each other’s experiences and expertise.”
Frank-Martin Rammelt, Managing Director of seleon GmbH
Together, we are strong.
Together we are strong—That is why we value the strong network and the open and excellent collaboration within the association, which allows us, as one of the leading manufacturers, to work together on solutions to the modern challenges in the contact lens industry, to collaborate on joint campaigns, and to capitalize on identified trends.
Johannes Zupfer, General Manager for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, CooperVision GmbH
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
OBE relies on high-quality products “Made in Germany.”
OBE relies on high-quality products “Made in Germany.” Thanks to innovation and automation, spring hinges and security screws can be manufactured in large quantities at the Ispringen facility. This goes hand in hand with increased productivity and a division of labor for simple products at our facility in China. In this way, we secure jobs in Germany.
Peter Specht / Erik Schäfer - Managing Directors, OBE
Community makes us strong!
For us as medium-sized companies, the SPECTARIS association serves as a bridge between the government and our interests—our collective strength makes us stronger! We appreciate the very helpful continuing education program in the field of medical technology and benefit from the organization of a wide variety of delegation trips. Our membership in SPECTARIS also ensures that we receive regular updates on new regulatory requirements.
Maik Greiser, Managing Partner / CEO, ATMOS MedizinTechnik GmbH & Co. KG
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 Medical Technology
For us as a medical technology manufacturer, SPECTARIS serves as an important voice in our dealings with policymakers. Especially in light of the current MDR, it is immensely important to have a strong and effective association to represent our interests. We are very satisfied with our collaboration and feel well represented.
Regina Kirchner-Gottschalk, Managing Director of KaWe – KIRCHNER & WILHELM GmbH + Co. KG
Innovation drives us forward
Demands are growing, markets are changing—but innovation opens up new paths for us. With digital progress, bold ideas, and modern processes, we are shaping the standards of tomorrow. As a SPECTARIS member, we leverage the strength of the network to actively shape the future in this dynamic environment.
Fabian Bohnen, COO / Stephan Börner, CEO, Ofa Bamberg GmbH
What we particularly appreciate about SPECTARIS is its technical expertise.
As a medium-sized medical technology company, Richard Wolf benefits greatly from SPECTARIS’s extensive network. We particularly value their technical expertise.
Management of Richard Wolf GmbH: Mr. Pfab, Mr. Steinbeck
It's worth getting involved!
In times of rapid and far-reaching changes in the medtech industry and a challenging regulatory environment, SPECTARIS is an important partner for our company and plays an indispensable role as an advocate for our interests in Berlin and Brussels. It’s worth getting involved!
Bert Sutter, Managing Director, Sutter Medizintechnik GmbH
We want to be a trusted partner for our laboratory customers, both today and in the future.
SPECTARIS’s in-depth information on industry and technology trends, as well as the regulatory landscape, is just as important to us as its advocacy work in Berlin and Brussels. The dedicated SPECTARIS team is always a great point of contact for us.
Dr. Christoph Schöler, Managing Partner, BRAND GMBH + CO KG, VACUUBRAND GMBH + CO KG
A voice for the industry
In a diverse and specialized industry such as analytical technology—which is highly technical and subject to numerous regulatory requirements—small specialists compete with large technology conglomerates. SPECTARIS succeeds in uniting the interests of all its members and serves as the industry’s collective voice and advocate.
Albrecht Sieper, Managing Director of Elementar Analysensysteme GmbH
SPECTARIS is the ideal platform.
SPECTARIS provides us with the ideal platform for constructive dialogue with member companies and serves as a reliable voice for the laboratory industry in the realms of politics and science.
Dr. Gunther Wobser, Managing Partner of LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG
SPECTARIS fosters collaboration in our industry.
“The very informative discussions at SPECTARIS in Berlin and here at our office convinced me of SPECTARIS’s commitment and the quality of its work. In particular, the opportunity to combine topics from analytical, biotechnology, and laboratory technology with the field of medical technology is very interesting for Sigma,” I wrote upon joining in 2011. This has been confirmed, and today we are actively involved in several working groups.
Dr. Michael Sander, Managing Director of Sigma Laborzentrifugen GmbH
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
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
Our membership in the SPECTARIS industry association is of great value to us.
It not only gives us access to a strong network of leading companies across various high-tech industries, but also provides an important platform for professional exchange and continuing education. In addition, we benefit from the association’s strong advocacy with policymakers, the business community, and society at large, which plays a crucial role in creating a sustainable framework for the future. Through our membership in SPECTARIS, we can contribute our expertise, address current developments at an early stage, and jointly drive innovation and sustainable growth.
Frank Billhardt, Laser Protection Division EMEA, LASERVISION GmbH & Co. KG
