VDMA predicts strong growth for German, worldwide photonics industry

Global sales and market volume for the photonics industry are expected to reach about EUR 615 billion by the year 2020, according to a recent VDMA report.

For the German market in particular, experts anticipate growth that will hopefully lead to long-term development in the industry. In 2012, the total market value in Germany had grown 3% year-over-year to a value of EUR 28 billion, with 2013 also growing around 3%, which the report suggests is a reflection of global trading. Economic indicators, however, point toward the industry achieving the EUR 44 billion value that was predicted by the VDMA last year, by 2020.

German industry growth has been aided by the field’s core targets, which are identified as manufacturing technologies such as laser machining, lithography, image processing, and measuring technology and instrumentation. With these “pillars of development,” as the report identifies them, Germany’s share of the global market has grown to 20%, which is considerably higher than the 8% of its total share of the technology field. This statistic can be attributed to the fact that Germany has a high export ratio (last year averaging 66%), with expanding exports being made to Asia and America, according to the VDMA.

Other key points identified in the report include:

• In 2014, the VDMA predicts a 3-8% expansion in industries utilizing photonics-related technologies as a result of product innovations. These sectors include machine building, the automotive industry, electrical systems and electronics, telecommunications, and medical engineering.
• Seven VDMA professional sectors related to photonics have collaborated via the “VDMA Photonics Forum,” for synergism and the combining of existing competencies. This forum includes more than 500 companies and research institutions.
• The VDMA also appointed an industrial steering committee for photonics in December of 2013 in order to enhance intra-association awareness and promote key technologies.
• A new working group has been added to cover the field of photonics related to “Additive Manufacturing,” such as laser-assisted sintering and melting.

View the VDMA report.

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