Photonics is not only one of the oldest key technologies in existence, but it continues to provide cutting-edge impetus and innovations in nearly all fields of application and megamarkets. In fact, there is hardly a high-tech product today that has not been processed with a laser at least once during its manufacturing process. Modern chips cannot be manufactured without optical technologies, and “laser powder bed fusion” enables even the smallest structures to be 3D-printed with maximum efficiency. High-speed data connections—which are essential for digitalization—would also be impossible without photonics.
Europe’s photonics industry ranks second globally, behind China. In Germany, too, the photonics industry is experiencing strong growth. With approximately 1,000 manufacturers of photonic components, 161,000 employees, and annual revenue of about 40 billion euros, this sector accounts for roughly 40 percent of Germany’s total business in Europe.
North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), as one of Germany’s key high-tech hubs, is also exceptionally well-positioned in the field of photonics. For this reason, we have decided to use this issue of our NMWP magazine to highlight the breadth of photonics in NRW through a few examples. Whether it’s innovative solutions for securing green energy through efficient hydrogen production or sustainable resource conservation through new, laser-based production processes using AI and neural networks, high-resolution 3D sensing is used in quality control, healthcare, and autonomous driving. Furthermore, photonics serves as an alternative for miniaturization in the chip industry. North Rhine-Westphalia’s excellent research landscape and its numerous innovative companies are the driving force behind innovative solutions “made in NRW.” This makes photonics an important pillar for us in ensuring competitiveness and prosperity.
In our interview, Dr. Lutz Aschke, President of Photonics21, shares interesting insights and personal perspectives on photonics in Europe and Germany, as well as on the challenges companies currently face due to geopolitical developments. Addressing the shortage of skilled workers and creating a growth-promoting environment for startups are other key areas in which networks such as Photonics21 and NMWP.NRW are active.