Home
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
  
  WISE
  The WISE project envisions a disruptive and competitive manufacturing concept centred on a single machine that seamlessly integrates macroscale processing techniques, such as Directed Energy ...
  
  Read more...about WISE
  
  PATTERN
  PATTERN will create the world's first process design kit for microwave photonics at ultra-high frequencies above 100 GHz. It will also introduce new functionalities into these circuits, such as ...
  
  Read more...about PATTERN
  
  IBAIA
  IBAIA will develop four innovative optimally functionalised sensor modules based on complementary photonics and electrochemical (EC) technologies to better meet end user needs and improve ...
  
  Read more...about IBAIA
WISE
The WISE project envisions a disruptive and competitive manufacturing concept centred on a single machine that seamlessly integrates macroscale processing techniques, such as Directed Energy ...

Read more...about WISE

PATTERN
PATTERN will create the world's first process design kit for microwave photonics at ultra-high frequencies above 100 GHz. It will also introduce new functionalities into these circuits, such as ...

Read more...about PATTERN

IBAIA
IBAIA will develop four innovative optimally functionalised sensor modules based on complementary photonics and electrochemical (EC) technologies to better meet end user needs and improve ...

Read more...about IBAIA
News
- News Archive
  
  EU invests €6 million in new networks to power factories of the future
  A new project is developing an ultra-fast, energy-efficient industrial internet using light-speed lasers and next-generation flexible and adaptable wireless to power future smart factories.
  
  Read more...about EU invests €6 million in new networks to power factories of the future
  
  “Without photonics, there is no AI, no quantum computing, no sustainable energy” – Photonics21 President explores Light Technologies’ Future in new Feature Article
  A special interview featuring Photonics21 President Dr. Lutz Aschke, published in this month’s leading French technology magazine, Electroniques, discusses Europe’s position in the global photonics ...
  
  Read more...about “Without photonics, there is no AI, no quantum computing, no sustainable energy” – Photonics21 President explores Light Technologies’ Future in new Feature Article
  
  Photonics: New Sensor to Track Hidden Water Pollutants in Lakes and Rivers
  An EU consortium is developing a new photonic sensing platform to track invisible threats from petrochemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, and industrial waste in our rivers, lakes, and oceans – helping ...
  
  Read more...about Photonics: New Sensor to Track Hidden Water Pollutants in Lakes and Rivers
EU invests €6 million in new networks to power factories of the future
A new project is developing an ultra-fast, energy-efficient industrial internet using light-speed lasers and next-generation flexible and adaptable wireless to power future smart factories.

Read more...about EU invests €6 million in new networks to power factories of the future

“Without photonics, there is no AI, no quantum computing, no sustainable energy” – Photonics21 President explores Light Technologies’ Future in new Feature Article
A special interview featuring Photonics21 President Dr. Lutz Aschke, published in this month’s leading French technology magazine, Electroniques, discusses Europe’s position in the global photonics ...

Read more...about “Without photonics, there is no AI, no quantum computing, no sustainable energy” – Photonics21 President explores Light Technologies’ Future in new Feature Article

Photonics: New Sensor to Track Hidden Water Pollutants in Lakes and Rivers
An EU consortium is developing a new photonic sensing platform to track invisible threats from petrochemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, and industrial waste in our rivers, lakes, and oceans – helping ...

Read more...about Photonics: New Sensor to Track Hidden Water Pollutants in Lakes and Rivers
Events
- Upcoming
  
  22 May 2025
  
  Photonics 4 Sustainability
  Read more...about Photonics 4 Sustainability
  
  27–28 May 2025
  
  360 CARLA Career Symposium Milan
  Read more...about 360 CARLA Career Symposium Milan
  
  06 June 2025
  
  Photonics 4 Masterpieces at EPHJ International Tradeshow 2025
  Read more...about Photonics 4 Masterpieces at EPHJ International Tradeshow 2025
- Archive
  
  15–16 May 2025
  
  Photonics Partnership Annual Meeting 2025
  Read more...about Photonics Partnership Annual Meeting 2025
  
  22–23 April 2025
  
  360 CARLA Symposium Brussels - CARLA Health
  Read more...about 360 CARLA Symposium Brussels - CARLA Health
  
  17 April–30 November 1999
  
  360 CARLA Experience Bratislava - Lasers and Hybrid Welding
  Read more...about 360 CARLA Experience Bratislava - Lasers and Hybrid Welding
22 May 2025

Photonics 4 Sustainability
Read more...about Photonics 4 Sustainability

27–28 May 2025

360 CARLA Career Symposium Milan
Read more...about 360 CARLA Career Symposium Milan

03–05 June 2025

Optics and Photonics Days 2025 (OPD2025)
Read more...about Optics and Photonics Days 2025 (OPD2025)
Membership

Thursday, 24 April 2025

EU invests €6 million in new networks to power factories of the future

Read more

© SPRINTER project

Thursday, 27 March 2025

“Without photonics, there is no AI, no quantum computing, no …

Read more

© Markus Steur

Thursday, 06 March 2025

Photonics: New Sensor to Track Hidden Water Pollutants in Lakes and …

Read more

© IBAIA project

Tuesday, 25 February 2025

Light technologies are powering the clean energy revolution

Read more

© Photonics21

Thursday, 28 November 2024

Photonics21: US photonics industry thriving as R&D hits $792 billion

Read more

© Photonics21

Next Photonics21 Events

22 May 2025
Cork Ireland
Photonics 4 Sustainability

27–28 May 2025
Milan, Italy
360 CARLA Career Symposium Milan

06 Jun 2025
Palexpo Geneva-Airport
Photonics 4 Masterpieces at EPHJ International Tradeshow 2025

06 Jun 2025
Oulu, Finland
360 CARLA Career Symposium Finland

Graphic element that shows different coloured triangles

Photonics

A Key Enabling Technology for Europe

The European Technology Platform Photonics21 represents the photonics community of industry and research organisations. Jointly with the European Commission our members develop and implement a common photonics strategy in a Horizon Europe Photonics Partnership to realise Europe's digital and green transformation goals and to secure European sovereignty.

Latest Information

News

View all news

24.04.2025 | Photonics21

EU invests €6 million in new networks to power factories of the future

27.03.2025 | Photonics21

“Without photonics, there is no AI, no quantum computing, no sustainable energy” – Photonics21 President explores Light Technologies’ Future in new Feature Article

06.03.2025 | Photonics21

Photonics: New Sensor to Track Hidden Water Pollutants in Lakes and Rivers

25.02.2025 | Photonics in the press

Light technologies are powering the clean energy revolution

Events

View all events

22 May 2025 | End-user Workshops

Photonics 4 Sustainability

27–28 May 2025 | 360 CARLA

360 CARLA Career Symposium Milan

03–05 June 2025 | Other

Optics and Photonics Days 2025 (OPD2025)

03–06 June 2025 | Other

EPoSS Annual Forum 2025

LinkedIn

Discover the Photonics21 Work Groups

Work Group 1 Digital Infrastructure

Work Group 2 Manufacturing

Work Group 3 Health

Work Group 4 Climate, Mobility & Energy

Work Group 5 Safety, Security, Space & Defence

Work Group 6 Agriculture & Food

Work Group 7 Core Photonics

Photonics Partnership Services

Magnifying glass over a heap of paper with graphs and tables

Photonics for Finance Read more...

Automated factory image

Photonics for Industry Read more...

Talking students sitting in gras

Photonics for Education Read more...

Waving flags of the European Union in front of a building

European Calls Read more...

Grafic element that shows a globe on a desc

Photonics Downloads Read more...

Photonics Partnership Projects

MILADO

MILADO will provide a robust and universal technology platform for the low-cost and large-volume fabrication of mid-infrared (MIR) ...

PATTERN

PATTERN will create the world's first process design kit for microwave photonics at ultra-high frequencies above 100 GHz. It will ...

Med-IPUT

The multi-sensing 'Medical Integrated Photonic Ultrasound Transducer' (MED-IPUT) project will develop a high-resolution, ...

LIBRA

LIBRA project introduces a benchtop smart multi-sensing system for the in-line automatable screening of cultivation processes in ...

FAIR CHARM

The emergence of innovative research avenues in biomedicine in the last decades (cell therapy, cancer immunotherapy, ...

VISSION

VISSION will tap into the potential of silicon nitride – an ideal platform for photonic integrated circuits owing to low ...

PUNCH

PUNCH will develop a new solution for optical switching that addresses several industrial requirements, including reliable and low ...

IBAIA

IBAIA will develop four innovative optimally functionalised sensor modules based on complementary photonics and electrochemical ...

LaserWay

The LaserWay project aims to transform the manufacturing sector by replacing traditional, inefficient, and environmentally harmful ...

View all projects

Stay informed!

We can keep you posted on upcoming events,
publication and reports that matter to you.

Register to our Newsletter Register as a Member