European Photonics Industry Sees an Uptick

13 February 2015—Market research firm Optech Consulting (Taegerwilen, Switzerland) reported preliminary 2014 data showing that the total European photonics market value has increased to EUR 60 billion, three percent higher than the EUR 58 billion reached in 2013. The increase is primarily due to growth in the industrial photonics segment with its 39 percent share of the market, as well as production volume in healthcare and life science applications, and the optical components and systems segment. The industrial segment includes lasers and laser systems for materials processing, microlithography and other applications.

The European photonics market suffered a depression in 2012 and 2013, primarily due to a meltdown in the photovoltaic (solar cells and modules) segment, which suffered stiff competition from Asian suppliers. The EUR 60 billion value was the second highest volume in history, next to EUR 62 billion reached in 2011. The European photonics-based information technology segment, on the other hand, contracted, remaining a weak area.