Business Joensuu Oy’s board of directors made a decision in spring to establish a new company called Photonics Center Oy. The Photonics Center service package will be a key element in implementing the Joensuu region’s business strategy. It will strongly support the creation of businesses and jobs in the growing photonics sector and attracting new businesses to the Joensuu region. The service package is made possible by strong research and educational competence and international networks. It has been built in a large co-operation project which is now moving on to the next phase.

The Photonics Center in Joensuu will help companies shorten research and product development time and bring products to the market faster. Photonics Center is a unique center of expertise and service in the photonics industry, even on a global scale. Companies and other actors in the industry will receive services including expert advice and training, shared access to equipment and services, and diverse facilities. The Photonics Center will focus on equipment services such as a unique service in Finland that offers active alignment, assembly and testing of camera modules and lidar systems, which also enables experimental production. The equipment offering will be gradually expanded. The service offering will be supported by the research environments and expertise of the University of Eastern Finland (UEF), the Karelia University of Applied Sciences and Riveria, a vocational education and training (VET) provider.

The premises will be phased in and located on the Joensuu campus of the University of Eastern Finland, next to the Institute of Photonics. The premises are owned by University Properties of Finland Ltd. The Photonics Center will also offer a path to other production facilities in the Joensuu region, enabling large-scale production for international markets.