German photonics production expected to grow by 4%

This means the production volume has reached the €30bn mark. However, the situation is different, though, in the individual segments. Without the production in the photovoltaics area, which is weakening in Germany, and the communications and display production, a major part of which has been relocated to Asia, the growth rate of the German photonics industry would be much higher.

In particular, the industrial areas of laser systems and laser sources, image processing, measurement engineering and lithography contributed to the positive result. Some of these areas recorded two-digit growth rates and growth was generally more dynamic than that of the world market. The other core areas of Germany's photonics production, such as medical technology, optical components and systems, but also the light industry, reported substantial gains in 2014 above the level of growth in 2013. For the international business of the photonics sub-sectors organised within SPECTARIS, the Berlin-based association expects an increase in sales of about 5% in 2014 compared to 2013, based on a survey among its members. All relevant industry associations expect growth in 2015 to be as dynamic as in 2014. In the machine tools area, the VDW is forecasting an above average development of the value of production in 2015 compared to 2014.