On March 16, 2023, representatives of Photonics Germany and VDMA signed a cooperation agreement in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, to systematically intensify their cooperation and launch joint activities in the future. Photonics Germany is the alliance of OptecNet Deutschland and Spectaris, which aims to strengthen the position of the German high-tech industry on a national and European level. With more than 3,500 members, VDMA is the largest network organization and important voice of the mechanical engineering industry in Germany and Europe.

The aim of the agreement is to strengthen the importance of the photonics and laser industry through political information and public relations, as well as through joint activities in the areas of promoting young talent and recruiting skilled workers. In addition, the framework conditions in research and industry are to be improved. Another goal is to jointly advance quantum technologies and to support or accelerate their economic utilization. To achieve these goals, Photonics Germany and VDMA Working Group Lasers and Laser Systems for Material Processing as well as the VDMA Forum Quantum Technologies and Photonics will work closely together.