Laser processing seen as a booming market

17 Jun 2002

The worldwide market for laser materials processing machines is set for strong growth this decade almost quadrupling in size, according to a new market report.

In 1999, USD 3.2 billion worth of laser processing machines were sold worldwide. By 2010, predicts the report by Optech Consulting of Germany, this will reach USD 11.1 billion. Stronger growth is foreseen in the first half of this decade, before a slow-down as the market begins to saturate.

User sectors in the report spanned the entire spectrum of laser processing applications, from the automotive industry to microelectronics. Driving growth will be greater automation and product miniaturization.

Also driving growth will be new applications in microelectronics, such as laser processing of printed circuit boards for mobile phones and notebook computers.

Although carbon dioxide and excimer lasers currently dominate the field, diode-pumped solid-state and high-power diode sources are expected to become the leading technologies by 2010.

Geographically, Europe leads the way, with a 37% market share, just ahead of North America with 35%, followed by Japan (22%) and Asia (6%). European and Japanese manufacturers dominate the supply of laser systems for cutting, welding and marking, while the US and Japan have the lead in semiconductor and printed circuit board applications.

MH