Photonics21 and European industry campaign to secure photonics’ future

21 Oct 2025

Photonics “big beasts” lead warning that Europe risks falling further behind China and US.

Some of Europe’s biggest industrial names, including Bosch, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Nokia Bell Labs, Zeiss, Trumpf, and EssilorLuxottica, have joined forces to urge the European Commission to place photonics at the heart of the next EU Framework Programme (FP10).

In a newly-published Joint Statement, leaders from across Europe’s defense, automotive, healthcare, manufacturing, and telecoms sectors warn that without a bold and dedicated strategy, “Europe risks falling further behind China and the US in the global race for photonics – the light-based technologies that underpin 20% of the EU economy”.

With FP10 set to shape Europe’s research and innovation agenda for 2028–2034, industry leaders argue that only a dedicated programme can ensure Europe’s photonics sector remains globally competitive – powering breakthroughs in AI, quantum, energy, healthcare, mobility, and beyond.

“Photonics is the invisible force behind everything from AI and quantum computing to secure communications, energy, healthcare, defence, and mobility,” said Dr Lutz Aschke, President of Photonics21. “But Europe is at risk of losing its critical, competitive edge unless FP10 delivers a stand-alone €2 billion photonics programme, capable of unlocking €6–8 billion in industrial co-investment.”

The signatories stress that photonics is one of the few digital technologies where Europe has long been a leader, but warn that China’s share of the global photonics market has surged from 10% in 2005 to 32% in 2022, while Europe’s has slipped to 15%.

“Photonics is a strategic technology for Europe’s prosperity, autonomy, and security. This joint statement shows that Europe’s industrial leaders stand united,” said Dr Aschke.

Statement demands

The joint statement calls on the EU to:

• Establish a €2 billion stand-alone photonics programme under FP10;
• Launch Photonics Grand Challenge Proposals in fields such as AI, space, quantum, and defense; and
• Strengthen resilient European supply chains for critical photonics components and materials.

The request brings together voices from across the European economy – from defense leaders such as Diehl Defence and WB Electronics, to automotive innovators at Volkswagen, Scania, and Mercedes-Benz, to healthcare pioneers Zeiss and EssilorLuxottica, and research powerhouses Nokia Bell Labs and ams-Osram.

The statement builds on the Photonics21 Position Paper, published earlier this month, which warned that Europe must “invest in light or be left in the dark” and called for FP10 to recognise photonics as a critical strategic technology for Europe’s competitiveness and autonomy.