Laser technologies are booming all over the world and especially in China: the market research company Optech Consulting recently published figures which show, for example, that the volume of the world market for laser material processing systems increased by €200 million to €6.3 billion in 2007. In China alone, the demand for laser machines increased last year by 25%. The forthcoming 2008 Olympic Games in Peking and the 2010 World Exhibition in Shanghai will also boost investment considerably in the short term. Industry experts are therefore expecting a growth rate of 20% alone for the Chinese electronics market in the next few years. LASER World of PHOTONICS China 2008 will also benefit from trends such as these. This leading trade fair for the Chinese market, which will be held at the Shanghai New International Expo Center from March 18 to 20, 2008, will be very impressive this year with an exhibition area that has almost doubled compared with 2007.

The substantial increase in the level of participation in LASER World of PHOTONICS China 2008 is due, for example, to the special event entitled “German World of Laser & Photonics“, which is being organized by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi). This special show will focus on the latest technologies, research results and products of leading German enterprises and universities in the field of optical technologies. Two technical conferences – the International Conference on Laser Processes and Components (LPC) and Optics Frontier – 2008 Laser Technology Forum – will round off the supporting program.

Under the umbrella of SIIIEF for the first time

In 2008 LASER World of PHOTONICS China and its partner events electronica & ProductronicaChina, Semicon China and CPCA will be staged for the first time under the umbrella of the Shanghai International IT & Electronics Fair (SIIEF). SIIEF will occupy a total exhibition area of more than 120,000 m² in 10 halls in the Shanghai New International Expo Center. It is therefore the largest electronics event in the People’s Republic of China and is being supported extensively for the first time by Shanghai City Council.

Participant record preordained

LASER World of PHOTONICS China will represent the perfect industry platform for companies in the areas of lasers, photonics and optical technologies. For many renowned suppliers, this event is the undisputed leader when it’s a question of purposefully placing their products, technologies and brands on the Chinese market. International trade visitors can look forward, for example, to presentations by TRUMPF, ROFIN, SCHOTT, Coherent, Newport, nLight, GSI, Osram, Laservall and Telesis. Due to its great success in the last two years, the trade fair has also become the recognized meeting-point for every major Chinese laser manufacturer: Han's Laser, Wuhan Chutian, Wuhan Huagong, North China Research Institute of Electro-Optics and Shengyang Dalu. The new exhibitors this year on the total exhibition area of 11,500 m² will be Eo Technics, Oerlikon, IPG, Ocean Optics Asia and many more besides. The organizers expect LASER World of PHOTONICS China 2008 to break all previous participant records.

Special event “German World of Laser & Photonics”

One of the highlights during LASER World of PHOTONICS 2008 will be the “German World of Laser & Photonics”. This special event of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi), the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (AUMA) and Messe München International (MMI) will provide an overview of the latest technologies, products and research results of German companies and institutes which play a leading role in the field of optical technologies. The photonics industry in Germany enjoyed double-digit growth in 2006 and goods exports rose by 60%. One of Germany’ s biggest trading partners is the People’s Republic of China where there is great demand for high-tech products and laser systems. A total of 60 companies from Germany will make use of the opportunity during the “German World of Laser & Photonics“ to demonstrate their outstanding know-how in optical technologies, especially in the areas of lighting, life sciences and material processing. Companies such as SCHOTT, PI, Scanlab, Owis, IPG, LINOS, Osram and Jenoptik will present their products under the banner “made in Germany” in Hall E6. The Exhibitor President for this important event is Dr. Johannes Hain, Executive Vice President of the Advanced Materials Business Unit of SCHOTT AG.

First-class supporting program

In addition to the trade fair, Messe München International (MMI) will stage an attractive supporting program together with competent industrial partners. The additional events are used intensively by trade visitors and help to contribute towards the success and good reputation of LASER World of PHOTONICS China.

The Hanover Laser Center will hold the 3rd International Conference on Laser Processes and Components (LPC) over a period of two days. Specialists from research institutes and industrial enterprises will exchange ideas and experiences on the topics of laser micro and macro processing, optical components, laser systems and laser safety.

The Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics (SIOM) is the partner of MMI for Optics Frontier – 2008 Laser Technology Forum and Outstanding Achievements Release Conference of Chinese Optics 2007. During this two-day series of talks, Chinese institutes and companies in particular will report on the latest laser developments and their applications in research.

With the cooperation event Germany meets China, Messe München will support Sino-German economic relations in conjunction with “intec.net“, the network for international technology cooperation. German companies will have an opportunity to personally contact Chinese firms which were identified by means of an individual profile and were invited to a discussion. The German companies will also be able to sound out possibilities of cooperation.

Further information on LASER World of PHOTONICS China and its supporting program can be found in the Internet at: www.world-of-photonics.net.