SPECTARIS, the German Industry Association for Optical, Medical and Mechatronical Technologies, predicted an 11.5 %-increase in sales revenue for radiation sources and optical components for this year, compared to the previous year, or a total of 8.9 billion euros. According to the association, the number of employees in this field will grow by 3 per cent to 46,000.

Within the framework of LASER 2007. World of Photonics the VDMA presented some outcomes of the recently concluded study on the "Significance of Optical Technologies", ordered by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research. The results showed that in 2006 the production value achieved by members with laser production systems in Germany rose by 25 per cent to 690 million euros. The order intake saw a similar growth rate, registering a total of 830 million euros. At the same time, the export share went up by more than 20 per cent to 505 million euros. This equals 73 per cent of the production value and is a sign of excellent international competitiveness.

The orders received for laser radiation sources (without engineering) demonstrated, at a volume of 396 million euros in 2006 (plus 12 per cent), that even an exceptional year marked by large projects of the automotive industry as was the case in 2002 can be topped. Including accessories, spare parts, services and the sales revenue from subsidiaries abroad, the laser-industry made a total of just over 500 million euros from radiation sources and has exceeded the 1 billion-euro mark for laser systems for the first time.

Figures on the market for laser systems in material processing were presented by the Swiss consulting firm Optech Consulting. Their research revealed that the demand for such systems worldwide had increased by 27 per cent last year, reaching a record of 6.1 billion euros. The results were divided into laser macro-processing at 4.7 billion euros (plus 27 per cent compared to 2005) and laser micro-processing at 1.4 billion euros (plus 28 per cent).

Overall, Optech Consulting predicts the growth rates on the world market for laser systems to slow down over the next few years: Until 2012, the average annual growth rate is expected to equal around 10 per cent.