The photonics industry in figures

These are ~200 players from industry and research, versatile, excellently networked and internationally renowned. OptoNet has been surveying the industry – with scientific support from Friedrich Schiller University Jena – every two years since 2001.

For the 14th edition of the report, the players in the Thuringian photonics industry once again answered detailed questions about their business situation, turnover, employment and technology trends.

This year’s special topic: the potential of AI and semiconductor technology.

Topics

Key points for the survey

THE MAJOR #KEYFIGURES

At a glance

195

Companies

4 B €

Sales

72%

Export share of sales

15%

Share of sales for research & development

19.6oo

Total employees (industry & research)

16.9oo

Employees in the industry

2.700

Employees in research

85

Ø Employees per company

700

Trainees
in vocational training

4,2%

Apprenticeship rate

THE PHOTONICS #REGION #THURINGIA

Location
Regionale Verteilung der Unternehmen in Thüringen

Jena is the center of the industry

123 companies with over 11,000 employees are based in the Saale city and the neighboring Saale-Holzland district and generate 75% of the sector’s turnover.

The industry is small and medium-sized

The average company size is 87 employees.

Only a few companies employ more than 250 people. The two largest employers are ZEISS and JENOPTIK.

#Products & #Technologies

Main focus

Unique technology spectrum at the site.

Thuringia’s photonics industry is characterized by a broad spectrum of technologies, which ensures it a recognized unique selling point both throughout Germany and internationally.

No other location can be identified that has a comparable density of companies in the optics and mechanics, metrology and sensor technology, laser technology or optoelectronics segments, which cover all the areas of photonics that are relevant to value creation.

In total, the competencies of the companies cover seven focal areas, with numerous companies active in different technology fields. In each case, the most important business area is relevant for the allocation of the individual company.

The overview shows the number of employees, sales and the number of companies in each technology area.

Branchen-Icon Optik & Mechanik

Optics & Mechanics

  • 5.353
  • 1,284 M€
  • 51

ZEISS · Optec · POG Präzisionsoptik Gera · Lenstec · asphericon · Docter Optics · Jabil Optics

Branchen-Icon Laser & Strahlquellen

Laser & Beam Sources

  • 1.807
  • 407 M€
  • 25

Active Fiber Systems · LASOS · Lasertechnik · Layertec · LLT Applikation · SIOS Meßtechnik

Branchen-Icon Optoelektronik

Optoelectronics

  • 2.136
  • 493 M€
  • 26

JENOPTIK · ams · DERMALOG JENETRIC · IMMS · IDloop · AIM Micro Systems · JETI · LEJ

Branchen-Icon Mikro- & Faseroptik

Micro & Fiber Optics

  • 925
  • 140 M€
  • 13

GRINTECH · FabuLens · heracle · FBGS · Optikron · piezoystem jena · WEINERT Fiber Optics

Branchen-Icon Optische Materialien

Optical materials

  • 1138
  • 235 M€
  • 8

VITRON · 5microns · ACM Coatings · GBneuhaus · INNOVENT · IQS · Optics Balzers Jena · optiX fab

Lichttechnik

Light engineering

  • 800
  • 176 M€
  • 8

TechnoTeam Bildverarbeitung · ORAFOL Fresnel Optics · LightTrans International · LEC

Optische Materialien

Metrology & Sensors

  • 4.476
  • 1.210 M€
  • 53

BATOP · confovis · GÖPEL electronic · Fibotec Fiberoptics · FluIDect · JenControl · Mahr

The technology fields of photonics in Thuringia with example players
Employees, sales by product focus and number of companies

#Business situation

Business situation 2025

Companies are cautious

The atmosphere in the sector is noticeably subdued. Compared to two years ago, many companies rate their situation as significantly worse. Economic weakness and geopolitical uncertainties are weighing on business development – the order situation has deteriorated.

Less than half rate their current situation as ›very good‹ (10%) or ›good‹ (36%), while 15% report a ›poor‹ business situation.

The business situation of the companies at the beginning of 2025
The business situation of the companies at the beginning of 2025

Industry sales at EUR 4 billion

In the 2024 financial year, the photonics industry generated sales of EUR 4 billion — a slight decline when adjusted for inflation.

However, this overall stable development conceals a differentiated picture: After all, 16% of companies have been able to significantly increase their turnover since 2023, while a further 25% have at least slightly exceeded the previous year’s level.

In contrast, around a third of businesses reported a significant decline in sales in some cases.

Turnover development in the years 2023 and 2024

Cautiously optimistic outlook

At least moderate growth is expected for 2025 and 2026. Slightly less than half of companies expect sales to rise or rise sharply – a slight decline compared to 2023, when over 50% still shared this expectation.

Overall, optimism in the sector remains intact, albeit noticeably more subdued.

Turnover forecast for the current business year 2025 and for 2026
Turnover forecast for the current business year 2025 and for 2026

Business Climate

Business climate index signals weak phase

After more than 15 years of stable and positive development, Thuringia’s photonics industry is currently in troubled waters.

Only after the global financial and economic crisis of 2007/2008 was the mood among managers worse.

Development of the business situation since 2002

#Research & #Development

R&D quota
F&E-Quote der Thüringer Photonik

R&D ratio reaches new high

Investment in research and development reached a new high in 2024.

Companies spent more than EUR 600 million on the development of new products and processes, which corresponds to an R&D ratio of around 15%.

Public funding boosts innovative strength

Government funding programs at state, federal and EU level continue to play an important role in the intensive commitment to research and development. Individual funding and joint projects with research institutions and/or other companies strengthen the innovative power and competitiveness of companies.

Importance of public funding opportunities for companies
Importance of public funding opportunities for companies

#Markets and #Export

Export ratio
Exportquote der Thüringer Photonikbranche 2024

Export ratio remains high

Thuringia’s photonics companies generated 72% of their turnover abroad in 2024 – a figure that is significantly higher than the Thuringian industry’s export ratio of 35%.

The high value shows how important free trade and functioning supply chains are for continued successful development.

Export markets

Europe with the greatest growth potential

Western Europe, North America and China remain the main markets. Europe currently has the highest potential for those surveyed, overtaking the USA.

At the same time, there are growing concerns: tariffs and trade conflicts – especially with the USA – are increasingly causing headaches.

Opportunities and risks of the most important export markets (exporting companies only)
Supply of skilled workers on the labor market in 2025 according to company estimates
Position in the market segment according to own assessment

Many companies are technology leaders

Currently, more than a third of companies maintain market leadership with their most important products. A further 50% place their companies’ products and services in the high-end technology sector.

Overall, the industry generates more than 40% of its turnover with products that have unique technological selling points on the market.

Diversity ensures resilience

With their products, technologies and services, Thuringian photonics companies exclusively serve customers in other highly specialized industries.

This year, for the first time, the question was asked about the application area ‘Security & Defense‘: Almost every third company supplies components and systems for this application area.

Fields of application of the products (multiple answers possible)
Fields of application of the products (multiple answers possible)

No chips without photonics

Photonics in Thuringia is an important enabler of the dynamic semiconductor industry. 85% of respondents see above-average potential in this growth market.

Almost two thirds of companies expect to benefit significantly themselves. Research is also heavily involved: 90% of the facilities work in this area.

Classification in the value chain for semiconductor production (only companies operating in the semiconductor and microelectronics sector)
Classification in the value chain for semiconductor production (only companies operating in the semiconductor and microelectronics sector)

#Skilled workforce development

Number of employees

Almost 20,000 employees in industry & research

Almost every sixth company or research institution reports a significant increase in personnel of 10% or more. Around a quarter recorded a moderate increase, while the number of employees remained constant at just under half.

The trainee ratio developed positively for the first time in a long time, rising from 3.2% to 4.2%.

Development of employees since 2023 (industry and research)
Development of employees since 2023 (industry and research)

650 positions are currently vacant

The demand for skilled workers in the photonics industry is unbroken.

More than 650 positions are currently vacant. Employees are most frequently sought in the areas of research and development, production, technology and electronics as well as IT and software development.

Vacancies according to qualification area
Vacancies according to qualification area

Situation remains tense

Despite the weak economy, the situation on the skilled labor market has hardly eased. Physicists, engineers, skilled workers and technicians remain hard to find.

Around 70% of managers rate the supply of skilled workers – with the exception of the commercial sector – as ‘rather poor‘ or ‘very poor‘.

Supply of skilled workers on the labor market in 2025 according to company estimates
Supply of skilled workers on the labor market in 2025 according to company estimates

Flexible solutions keep skilled workers beyond retirement age

In 70% of companies, employees will reach retirement age in the next five years – especially in production.

Many companies are trying to retain these skilled workers for longer by offering flexible working hours. In two-thirds of cases, more than half of the retirement candidates show interest – almost 50% remain with the company beyond retirement age

Do you try to keep pension candidates longer?
Do you try to keep pension candidates longer?
Expansion requirement by the end of 2026
Expansion requirement by the end of 2026

Further staff expansion planned

The photonics industry is expecting sales growth in the coming years. This is also reflected in the personnel forecasts: by the end of 2026, more than 2,000 new positions will need to be filled through expansion and replacement.

Meeting demand for skilled workers by the end of 2026
Meeting demand for skilled workers by the end of 2026

Training rate increases – skills gap remains

Important training courses such as precision optician and microtechnologist have recently been significantly expanded. This is reflected in an increase in the proportion of trainees from 3.2% to 4.6%.

Despite this, the industry will have a calculated shortage of around 480 skilled workers by the end of 2026.

Meeting demand for academics by the end of 2026
Meeting demand for academics by the end of 2026

Young academics are not enough

In the 2024/25 academic year, around 3,400 students will be enrolled in photonics-relevant degree programs at Thuringian universities – a stable figure, but too low to comfortably meet demand.

By the end of 2026, this will result in a potential of just over 600 young professionals with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree – provided that at least half of them choose a company in the sector in the region. This would correspond to a demand coverage of around 78%.

Special: #Technology trends

Use of artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence in photonics

Companies are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence, especially generative AI, for example for the automated creation of technical documentation or the simulation of optical systems. AI-supported automation and machine learning are also used, for example for process optimization in production or for quality control. While technologies such as computer vision have been used less frequently to date, there are signs of further potential here – for the inspection of optical components or the analysis of complex image data, for example.

Degree of use of AI instruments
Degree of use of AI instruments

Focus on efficiency and quality

In the photonics industry, the use of AI tools is being driven forward primarily to increase efficiency. This goal has already been achieved in some cases, but only partially for the majority. Promoting innovation and improving quality are also key objectives, although there is still significant potential for development here. The use of AI has so far been less relevant for eliminating staff shortages or increasing safety – these goals have not been prioritized by many companies or have not yet been achieved. Overall, it is clear that AI in photonics is primarily seen as a lever for process optimization.

Ziele für den KI-Einsatz
Ziele für den KI-Einsatz

Skilled workers and regulation as the biggest hurdles

The use of AI is hampered above all by a lack of human resources – more than half of companies see this as a delay. Legal uncertainties and insufficiently digitalized processes are also slowing down implementation. Financial bottlenecks, on the other hand, play a lesser role, as do a lack of partners or a lack of acceptance among the workforce. Overall, it is clear that the success of AI projects depends heavily on the availability of specialists and clear framework conditions.

Obstacles to the use of AI
Obstacles to the use of AI

#Challenges and fields of action

Fields of action for politics

Focus on reducing bureaucracy and infrastructure

Companies in the photonics industry see the greatest need for political action in the reduction of bureaucratic hurdles – for the overwhelming majority, this topic has the highest priority. The repair of public infrastructure and the protection of democracy are also rated as particularly urgent. Other important areas include controlling immigration, limiting social spending and driving forward the energy transition.

The most important areas of policy action from the company's perspective
The most important areas of policy action from the company's perspective

Strengthening the business location is a priority

Strengthening the business location is at the top of the agenda for almost half of the companies in the next five to ten years. Equally important are securing the next generation through education and the development of skilled workers as well as maintaining free trade and global peace.
Respondents currently pay comparatively little attention to climate change.

Long-term challenges for the economy and society (open responses categorized, multiple answers possible)
Long-term challenges for the economy and society (open responses categorized, multiple answers possible)

#Network #OptoNet

Member satisfaction

Good marks for the network

OptoNet e.V. currently represents the interests of 135 stakeholders in the field of photonics in Thuringia – including companies, educational and research institutions, personnel service providers and other supporters.

The network offers these members a wide range of services in the form of networking and personal exchange, support in the promotion of technology and young talent, or the presentation of the industry at national and international level.

The members consider OptoNet to be on the right track in terms of its objectives and orientation and award it consistently good and very good marks for its wide range of services.

The PHOTONICS Report was prepared on behalf of OptoNet e.V.. The study is based on telephone interviews with the managing directors, HR managers and other executives of the companies and research institutions. Not only OptoNet member companies were taken into account, but all players in Thuringia assigned to the industry. In addition, the data were evaluated in comparison with the industry data collected by OptoNet every two years since 2001.

There may be slight differences in the totals due to rounding.

The reproduction or distribution of the contents for commercial and non-commercial purposes is only possible with the express permission of the publisher. For inquiries, please contact info@optonet-jena.de

The publication of results with reference to the source is permitted.