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Fibre lasers grow but still face challenges

09 Mar 2009

Taegerwilen, March 3, 2009 - With an average annual market growth rate of 42% over the last three years, fibre lasers have been highly successful, and the worldwide market reached $300 million in 2008.

The most important application area is materials processing, with a market volume of $210 million, corresponding to a market share of 7% (2008 world market for all lasers in materials processing: $3.0 billion). Examples of further market growth areas for fibre lasers are: flat sheet cutting, fine processing, and marking.

Nevertheless, fibre lasers have not yet been successful in replacing current technology in the majority of applications in materials processing, medical therapy, information technology, and defense.

Bulk solid-state lasers and gas lasers (CO2, excimer) are still the first choice for many applications. They provide a larger range of parameters at competitive cost, especially when certain pulse regimes and different wavelengths are required.

This is one of the major findings of the new report "Fibre Lasers 2009" published by Optech Consulting. The report is based on the results of the workshop "Fibre Laser Markets, Key Challenges and Opportunities", held by the European Photonics Industry Consortium, EPIC, on 6th November 2008 in Dresden, Germany.

Optech Consulting has added additional information from expert interviews, as well as market information.

Main issues investigated in the report comprise the competitive position of fibre lasers, and the improvements required for their extended application in macro and micro materials processing, medical therapy, displays, and defense.

For further information please visit www.optech-consulting.com

Dr. Arnold Mayer
Optech Consulting
Ochsengartenstrasse 3
8274 Taegerwilen
Switzerland

Phone: +41-71 667 0990
Fax: +41-71 667 0991

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