Industry leaders, researchers and policymakers debated the future of light technologies, including technological sovereignty and the need for resilient supply chains in Europe, at this year’s Photonics Partnership meeting in Brussels on the 14^th and 15^th of May.

At a live discussion panel, ‘Quo Vadis Photonics?’, industry experts analyzed a wide range of photonics-related issues, including how the sector can contribute to policies such as the European Chips Act and technological sovereignty, international cooperation and partnerships for accelerating innovation, and strengthening the global competitiveness of the industry.

Keynote speakers, including Pierre Chastanet, head of unit for microelectronics and photonics, DG CNECT at the European Commission, and Michelangelo Masini, head of research and technology at Carl Zeiss, shared their insights to inform the strategic direction of photonics and its key role in driving innovation and economic growth. Kent Rochford, CEO and executive director of SPIE, provided a US and global perspective on the industry at the annual gathering.

Photonics21 president Dr Lutz Aschke, CEO of Photonics Systems Group, said: “All photonics members from across the continent are welcome to share their critical insights into challenges and opportunities to drive the next wave of innovation over the next decade and come together to map out a path for groundbreaking technological and economic advancements.”

A highlight of the event was the presentation of the latest worldwide photonics market study, “Insights into the Dynamic Photonics Market (2019 – 2022)”, which reveals the economic performance of photonics on a global scale.

According to the study conducted by the French market intelligence group Tematys, the photonics industries in Europe, Asia, and the US remained robust from 2019 to 2022 – a period plagued by some of the toughest global and economic tensions after decades of geoeconomics and globalization.

In Europe, the study shows employment surged by 35,000 jobs during this period, far exceeding the growth rate of EU manufacturing as a whole. At the same time, European photonics production soared to 124.6 billion euros in 2022, representing over 5,000 companies and contributing significantly to Europe’s manufacturing landscape.

Reference: Light technologies buck trend despite global economic turmoil – Market Research Study Photonics 2024, wileyindustrynews.com, 15 May 2024