German Industry Association for Optics, Photonics, Analytical and Medical Technologies

SPECTARIS is the German industry association for the high-tech medium-sized business sector and representative body in the areas of Photonics, Medical Technology, Analytical, Bio and Laboratory Technology, and Consumer Optics. Innovation and growth characterise these industry sectors and their about 300,000 strong workforce. Technologies developed here are used in almost all branches of industry, making them an important motor for the German economy. Through its political activities, public relations and industry marketing, the association gives its members a voice, formulates new responsibilities and opens up new markets. This ensures the international competitiveness of the German industry in these sectors and thus safeguards locations and jobs.

In the Photonics section of SPECTARIS, about 120 manufacturers of laser, optical components and sensor and measurement technology are organised. In addition to this product-oriented classification, SPECTARIS organises workshops on selected customer markets like, semiconductor and production technology, medical technology and life science, industrial lighting technologies and security-related topics. To fulfil the needs of its members, SPECTARIS focuses on four core competences. A selection of the activities is presented as follows. 

Lobbying | Industry Marketing

SPECTARIS specifically promotes the industry interests through several communication channels and constitutes an active juncture between politics, economics, science and media. Special services for the optical technologies are (selection):

  • The photonics industry profited to a large extent from the R&D-project promotion funded by the German government. In order to further support this innovative industry in the global competition, SPECTARIS advocates the maintenance of the funding programme, by means of studies and position papers that are discussed with relevant decision makers.
  • Loans play a crucial role in the financing of innovative technologies and products. Since the potential of optical technologies is not so well-known amongst financial specialists, credit terms may suffer. During the German shows LASER and OPTATEC, SPECTARIS organises analyst conferences where German companies present their enterprises to analysts in order to promote the innovative and sustainable character of the industry.

Market Research | Statistics

SPECTARIS lays tangible foundations for entrepreneurial decisions through its national, European and global market reviews and industry data, thus creating substantial economic advantages. Special services for the optical technologies are (selection):

  • SPECTARIS provides a world market index of Optical Technologies which displays the development of 15 listed photonics companies.
  • The biennial SPECTARIS-internal survey gives detailed information on new developments in certain regions, markets and relevant application areas of the photonics industry.
  • International market data in cooperation with Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI), e.g. about the Photonics market in the USA.

Regulatory Affairs

SPECTARIS keeps its member companies updated on important national and international regulations and actively lobbies for their interests.

  • SPECTARIS regularly organises seminars on the topic of EU environmental policy, where guidelines and regulations relevant to the photonics industry are introduced and discussed. These seminars are also a platform for SPECTARIS to present its lobbying activities. The topics range from REACH and WEEE to the CE-branding of new products. 
  • Hand in hand with the companies affected by these regulations, SPECTARIS develops and promotes proposals and position papers. SPECTARIS is therefore actively involved in the in the extension of the RoHS-exemption for lead and cadmium in optical and filter glass.
  • Project grants, especially in the Optical Technologies, have proved to be a very effective tool to contribute to the success of the industry, with a considerable public leverage and without any windfall gains. They help develop sustainable networks between producers and users, universities and other research institutions, thus also contributing to the successful recruiting and sustainment of skilled workforces. SPECTARIS campaigns for the strengthening of project grants in accordance with the government’s high-tech strategy.

International Marketing | Promotion of Exports

SPECTARIS offers guidance on the global market and supports its members in securing international contacts. Special services for the Optical Technologies are (selection):

  • SPECTARIS actively promotes trade fairs and utilises them as a forum for the reinforcement of important partnerships in order to represent the various interests of its members towards their stakeholders and interest groups. Many companies make use of the possibility to present their products under the head of “made in Germany”. The so-called German Pavilions are kindly supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. 
  • SPECTARIS is involved in numerous industry specific project activities supporting German companies abroad, all focused on one single objective: initiation and expansion of contacts with industry associations as well as industrial enterprises in other countries.
  • Besides political lobbying activities, SPECTARIS offers its members support in other areas, such as PR and communication, industry-specific marketing, the establishment of networks, information events and workshops. Companies from each group within the four units meet twice a year to exchange ideas and gain special technical or economic knowledge through presentations given by experts. 

Detailed information may be found on our homepage www.spectaris.de.

We are always amenable to your questions and comments, so please do not hesitate to contact us. Your contact person is Dr. Wenko Süptitz,
+49 (0)30 414021-25, sueptitz@spectaris.de. 

We look forward to hearing from you!