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About us
- Photonics21
  
  Photonics21
  The European Technology Platform Photonics21 unites the majority of the leading photonics industries and relevant R&D stakeholders along the whole economic value chain throughout Europe. Today, ...
  
  Read more...about Photonics21
- Photonics Partnership
  
  Photonics Partnership
  The Photonics21 association is an international non-profit association with scientific purpose governed by the provisions of Title 3 of the Belgium Law of twenty-seventh of June nineteen hundred ...
  
  Read more...about Photonics Partnership
  
  Research & Innovation Priorities
  
  Research & Innovation Priorities
  Setting photonics research and innovation Prorities for the Horizon Europe Work Programmes lies in the heart of the Photonics Partnership tasks.
  
  Read more...about Research & Innovation Priorities
  
  Structures, Processes and Statutes
  
  Structures, Processes and Statutes
  The Photonics Partnership acts as a "mouthpiece" of the European Technology Platform Photonics21 (and its more than 4,000 members) towards the European Commission.
  
  Read more...about Structures, Processes and Statutes
- Structure
  
  Structure
  Photonics21 is composed of several bodies. You can find more information on the structure of the platform in the following sections.
  
  Read more...about Structure
  
  Board of Stakeholders
  
  Board of Stakeholders
  The Board of Stakeholders (BoS) is the main decision-making body of the platform. In particular, the BoS bears responsibility for:
  
  Read more...about Board of Stakeholders
  
  Executive Board
  
  Executive Board
  The Executive Board (EB) is the managing body of the platform. The EB is responsible for the coordination and execution of the platform operations, for the preparation and the implementation of the ...
  
  Read more...about Executive Board
  
  Work Groups
  
  Work Groups
  The Photonics21 Work Groups (WGs) are the main centres of activities within Photonics21. They focus on the development of the work group specific research and innovation priorites and the update of ...
  
  Read more...about Work Groups
  
  Work Group 1
  Digital Infrastructure
  
  Work Group 1
  Early 2020, with the onset of COVID-19, digital infrastructure became an even more essential part of our personal and professional lives, acting as a 'lifeblood' the likes of which we have never seen ...
  
  Read more...about Work Group 1
  
  Work Group 2
  Manufacturing
  
  Work Group 2
  The Grand Challenges facing European research are well-documented. Digitisation, and a sustainable and circular approach for manufacturing and materials, will be the basis for a competitive, ...
  
  Read more...about Work Group 2
  
  Work Group 3
  Health
  
  Work Group 3
  The European population is ageing increasingly: the number of people today older than 65 relative to those in the working-age is assumed to double by 2045. Since age is a major factor for a higher ...
  
  Read more...about Work Group 3
  
  Work Group 4
  Climate, Mobility & Energy
  
  Work Group 4
  Photonics plays a role in the targets of Decarbonisation towards Zero Emission Road Transport, Clean Energy Transition, the Industrial Battery Value Chain, Renewable Energy with photovoltaics, energy ...
  
  Read more...about Work Group 4
  
  Work Group 5
  Safety, Security, Space & Defense
  
  Work Group 5
  A key responsibility of government is to keep its citizens protected and to make them feel safe. This can be accomplished on three levels: (1) Civilian empowerment, (2) Law enforcement and public ...
  
  Read more...about Work Group 5
  
  Work Group 6
  Agriculture & Food
  
  Work Group 6
  By 2030, the technology to feed a world population of 10 billion, push back food-borne illness, and reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture needs to be in place. ...
  
  Read more...about Work Group 6
  
  Work Group 7
  Core Photonics
  
  Work Group 7
  Photonics will play a vital role in addressing the key socio-economic challenges facing Europe in the 21st century. As examples, we may note the following:
  
  Read more...about Work Group 7
  
  Mirror Group
  
  Mirror Group
  The Mirror Group constitutes the public complement to the industry-led Photonics21 Board of Stakeholders. It supports and reflects ("mirrors") the activities of Photonics21 at policy level and from a ...
  
  Read more...about Mirror Group
Photonics21
The European Technology Platform Photonics21 unites the majority of the leading photonics industries and relevant R&D stakeholders along the whole economic value chain throughout Europe. Today, ...

Read more...about Photonics21

Photonics Partnership
The Photonics21 association is an international non-profit association with scientific purpose governed by the provisions of Title 3 of the Belgium Law of twenty-seventh of June nineteen hundred ...

Read more...about Photonics Partnership

Structure
Photonics21 is composed of several bodies. You can find more information on the structure of the platform in the following sections.

Read more...about Structure
Services
- Photonics for Finance
  
  Photonics for Finance
  The financing of innovative photonics companies in their different growth phases is a serious problem in Europe. Thats why Photonics21 strives to improve the access to financing for European photonics ...
  
  Read more...about Photonics for Finance
- Photonics for Industry
  
  Photonics for Industry
  Several European pilot lines, which help companies take photonics technologies from lab into market, have been launched by the Photonics Partnership. The pilot lines mean that companies will be able ...
  
  Read more...about Photonics for Industry
- Photonics for Education
  
  Photonics for Education
  The Photonics Partnership supports various projects with the aim of bringing photonics into the education system of Europe. In this sector we dive a bit deeper into this projects.
  
  Read more...about Photonics for Education
- European Calls
  
  European Calls
  There are regular Photonics Calls for Proposals published by the European Commission. The Photonics21 community is the dedicated body to define the European call topics for photonics.
  
  Read more...about European Calls
- Photonics Downloads
  
  Photonics Downloads
  The most relevant and recent publications from Photonics21 and the Photonics PPP can be found and downloaded in this section.
  
  Read more...about Photonics Downloads
Photonics for Education
The Photonics Partnership supports various projects with the aim of bringing photonics into the education system of Europe. In this sector we dive a bit deeper into this projects.

Read more...about Photonics for Education

Photonics for Finance
The financing of innovative photonics companies in their different growth phases is a serious problem in Europe. Thats why Photonics21 strives to improve the access to financing for European photonics ...

Read more...about Photonics for Finance

Photonics for Industry
Several European pilot lines, which help companies take photonics technologies from lab into market, have been launched by the Photonics Partnership. The pilot lines mean that companies will be able ...

Read more...about Photonics for Industry
Projects
- Projects
  
  MULTIMOLD
  The MULTIMOLD project seeks to revolutionise the manufacturing process for complex products based on in-mold electronics (IME) by addressing current limitations in yield, recyclability, and ...
  
  Read more...about MULTIMOLD
  
  PHOREVER
  PHOREVER will develop a disruptive multi-sensing platform that will enable for the first time the reliable detection of EVs with size down to 80 nm, the detection of EVs with specific biomarkers ...
  
  Read more...about PHOREVER
  
  GlobalAM
  The GlobalAM project aims to overcome the limitations of Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) in producing complex geometries at a large scale by developing a hybrid production approach that combines the ...
  
  Read more...about GlobalAM
MULTIMOLD
The MULTIMOLD project seeks to revolutionise the manufacturing process for complex products based on in-mold electronics (IME) by addressing current limitations in yield, recyclability, and ...

Read more...about MULTIMOLD

PHOREVER
PHOREVER will develop a disruptive multi-sensing platform that will enable for the first time the reliable detection of EVs with size down to 80 nm, the detection of EVs with specific biomarkers ...

Read more...about PHOREVER

GlobalAM
The GlobalAM project aims to overcome the limitations of Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) in producing complex geometries at a large scale by developing a hybrid production approach that combines the ...

Read more...about GlobalAM
News
- News Archive
  
  Photonics: ‘shark skin’ surfaces to cut aircraft CO2 emissions
  EU Commission invests €5.6 million in new laser system that creates multifunctional film surfaces inspired by smooth shark skin to reduce drag and ice formation on aeroplanes or ships – significantly ...
  
  Read more...about Photonics: ‘shark skin’ surfaces to cut aircraft CO2 emissions
  
  Engage in the upcoming Photonics21 Board of Stakeholders Election 2025
  Between 21 October and 4 November 2025, Photonics21 members will elect the new Board of Stakeholders. This year, 23 seats are up for election. Register now as a voter and/or nominate a candidate!
  
  Read more...about Engage in the upcoming Photonics21 Board of Stakeholders Election 2025
  
  Photonics Partnership Project ELENA Pioneers LNOI Platform for Next-Gen Photonic Circuits & Europe’s 1st Commercial Supplier of LNOI Wafers
  The recently concluded 42-month Photonics Partnership project ELENA announced the development of the first-ever, European-made lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) substrates for photonic integrated ...
  
  Read more...about Photonics Partnership Project ELENA Pioneers LNOI Platform for Next-Gen Photonic Circuits & Europe’s 1st Commercial Supplier of LNOI Wafers
Photonics: ‘shark skin’ surfaces to cut aircraft CO2 emissions
EU Commission invests €5.6 million in new laser system that creates multifunctional film surfaces inspired by smooth shark skin to reduce drag and ice formation on aeroplanes or ships – significantly ...

Read more...about Photonics: ‘shark skin’ surfaces to cut aircraft CO2 emissions

Engage in the upcoming Photonics21 Board of Stakeholders Election 2025
Between 21 October and 4 November 2025, Photonics21 members will elect the new Board of Stakeholders. This year, 23 seats are up for election. Register now as a voter and/or nominate a candidate!

Read more...about Engage in the upcoming Photonics21 Board of Stakeholders Election 2025

Photonics Partnership Project ELENA Pioneers LNOI Platform for Next-Gen Photonic Circuits & Europe’s 1st Commercial Supplier of LNOI Wafers
The recently concluded 42-month Photonics Partnership project ELENA announced the development of the first-ever, European-made lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) substrates for photonic integrated ...

Read more...about Photonics Partnership Project ELENA Pioneers LNOI Platform for Next-Gen Photonic Circuits & Europe’s 1st Commercial Supplier of LNOI Wafers
Events
- Upcoming
  
  28 August 2025
  
  Photonics21 WG6 "Agriculture & Food" Workshop: Photonics Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda
  Read more...about Photonics21 WG6 "Agriculture & Food" Workshop: Photonics Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda
  
  28–29 August 2025
  
  360 CARLA Symposium & Training Delft
  Read more...about 360 CARLA Symposium & Training Delft
  
  16–17 October 2025
  
  360 CARLA Training Dolní Břežany
  Read more...about 360 CARLA Training Dolní Břežany
- Archive
  
  03 July 2025
  
  Photonics 4 Agrifood at EKOAgriTech
  Read more...about Photonics 4 Agrifood at EKOAgriTech
  
  26–26 June 2026
  
  Photonics 4 Bio-Diagnostics
  Read more...about Photonics 4 Bio-Diagnostics
  
  06 June 2025
  
  360 CARLA Career Symposium Finland
  Read more...about 360 CARLA Career Symposium Finland
18–22 August 2025

Joensuu Summer School on Optics: Innovation Skills in Photonics
Read more...about Joensuu Summer School on Optics: Innovation Skills in Photonics

24–28 August 2025

EOSAM 2025
Read more...about EOSAM 2025

28 August 2025

Photonics21 WG6 "Agriculture & Food" Workshop: Photonics Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda
Read more...about Photonics21 WG6 "Agriculture & Food" Workshop: Photonics Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda
Membership

SPIE Optical Systems Design

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2026 12–16 April

Optical Systems Design is the specialized European event for optical instrumentation with the latest advances in optical systems applications, materials, and processing.

Open event website

Upcoming Events & Workshops

18–22 August 2025
Joensuu, Finland

Joensuu Summer School on Optics: Innovation Skills in Photonics

Enhance your skills with expert lectures on innovation tools and techniques, gain valuable insights from two industry partners and a former NASA astronaut, and collaborate on team projects to tackle ...

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24–28 August 2025
Delft, The Netherlands

EOSAM 2025

The European Optical Society Annual Meeting, EOSAM, is a major international scientific conference and exhibition covering all aspects of optics and photonics. The 13th EOSAM is organized in Delft, ...

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28 August 2025
Online

Photonics21 WG6 "Agriculture & Food" Workshop: Photonics Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda

The next Photonics21 Work Group 6 “Agriculture & Food” workshop is scheduled to take place on 28 August 2025, starting at 11:00 CET. The workshop will be held online. Work Group leaders Chris van ...

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Latest news about Photonics21

Photonics21
Wednesday, 16 July 2025

Photonics: ‘shark skin’ surfaces to cut aircraft CO2 emissions

Read more...

Photonics21
Monday, 14 July 2025

Engage in the upcoming Photonics21 Board of Stakeholders Election 2025

Read more...

Photonics21
Tuesday, 01 July 2025

Photonics Partnership Project ELENA Pioneers LNOI Platform for Next-Gen Photonic Circuits & Europe’s 1st Commercial Supplier of LNOI Wafers

Read more...

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