Europe Must Play to Its Strengths

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Nov. 06, 2025 – 

Photonics21 President Lutz Aschke outlines where Europe leads in photonics, where it lags behind, and why political momentum matters more than ever.

By Andreas Thoss, Photonics Spectra

Europe’s photonics sector is at a crossroads. It continues to lead globally in high-performance optics, precision engineering, and industrial photonics — but faces stiff competition from China in mass markets and from the U.S. in venture-driven innovation. Meanwhile, rising geopolitical tensions and shifting trade policies are redrawing the map for supply chains, research collaboration, and public investment.

Photonics21, the European technology platform representing more than 4300 members, plays a central role in shaping the European Union (EU)’s photonics agenda. Its current president, Lutz Aschke, is a physicist and industry leader who has spent decades at the interface of science, startups, and strategy.

Photonics Spectra contributing editor Andreas Thoss spoke with Aschke about Europe’s strengths, gaps, and the future role of photonics in global competition.

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