An industry meeting with a view to the prospects of the German photonics sector. This is what the Photonics Germany Future Summit delivered on October 12 at the Karl Storz Visitor Center in Berlin. The eighty participants were offered an up-to-date program of the most promising application areas of photonics and the economic challenges of this high-tech industry. With their joint alliance Photonics Germany, the German industry association Spectaris and the innovation network for optical technologies, Optecnet Germany, set themselves the goal of strengthening the position of photonics as a German high-tech industry on a national and European level. In his video greeting, Mario Brandenburg, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, emphasized how important the photonics industry is for securing and expanding Germany as a high-tech location.

“As a cross-sectional technology with an enormous leverage effect, photonics is becoming an enabling technology for a large number of other key industries,” emphasized Optecnet board member Dr Andreas Ehrhardt. The importance of photonics in essential high-tech industries was reflected in the diverse daily program of the Future Summit: from the application of optical devices using the example of mini-endoscopy in healthcare, laser technology in smart production, to sensor technology in the mobility of tomorrow or the security industry. An assessment of the current global and German economic situation with the effects of the Corona pandemic to date and tips on financing opportunities for photonics startups rounded out the program. 

But at the same time, pressing global challenges are emerging that need to be addressed. “Spending on photonics research funding in key global markets such as China and the United States is increasing rapidly. If we in Germany do not want to jeopardize our current strong position in the global photonics market, we will need adequate, broad-based funding in the future as well. The untapped innovation potential of photonics is immense. An emerging focus on the lighthouse technology of quantum technologies alone will therefore not do justice to the wide-ranging application possibilities of photonics and its outstanding role as an enabling technology,” appealed Dr Bernhard Ohnesorge, photonics chairman at Spectaris, in his keynote address. 

A special highlight on the day’s program was the presentation of a joint declaration of intent between the Scientific Society for Laser Technology and Photonics WLT and Photonics Germany. The two partners thus reaffirmed their goal of making photonics and laser technology more visible in economic and research policy through deeper cooperation.

Dr Ohnesorge drew a positive conclusion for the industry meeting: “With this future summit, we were able to highlight the enormous potential and the strong market position of German photonics. To strengthen this position, we will continue to make ourselves available as a representative dialog and contact partner, because innovation thrives on exchange.”

“With 176,000 employees and more than 47 billion euros in annual sales, the photonics industry plays an indispensable and growing economic role in Germany,” added Dr Wenko Süptitz, head of photonics at Spectaris.