EPIC (European Photonics Industry Consortium) is the world leading industry association dedicated to strengthening the competitiveness of the European photonics sector. The organization supports the entire photonics value chain by exploring markets, expanding applications, and connecting people and companies within the ecosystem.
EPIC’s mission is to drive the growth of photonics technologies through networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration across more than 800 member companies.
EPIC supports the industry by organizing more than 80 events per year, publishing market and technology reports, and providing platforms for collaboration between system integrators, suppliers, researchers, and decisionmakers.
The association also creates direct links between companies and fosters new partnerships that help accelerate innovation and tackle technical and commercial challenges in photonics.
EPIC covers a wide range of photonics applications including integrated photonics, microelectronics, lasers, quantum photonics, optical fibre sensors, AR/VR photonics, photonics for space and defence, medical and diagnostic photonics, and more—each of which is represented in its numerous technology meetings. Learn more
Membership is open to companies, research institutes, and organizations active in or supporting the European photonics industry including manufacturers, startups, technology suppliers, system integrators, and academic partners.
Members gain access to:
Testimonials from member companies highlight EPIC’s strong technical-commercial balance and the high value of networking opportunities. View more benefits
Applications can be submitted through the website using the application form. Go to the form
Members are encouraged to engage actively in events, share insights during meetings, collaborate with other participants, and contribute to the advancement of photonics in Europe.
EPIC (European Photonics Industry Consortium) hosts a wide range of events including:
These events bring together suppliers, system integrators, researchers, and executives to share challenges, trends, and expectations.
EPIC organizes more than 80 events per year, reflecting its strong emphasis on continuous networking and knowledge exchange. All information about upcoming events can be found on the website.
Registration is available via the individual event pages on the website. Each upcoming meeting listed on the homepage includes dates, locations and all other relevant information. Go the the events page
Yes. After the event EPIC shares photo albums on Flickr. On the event page biographies for all speakers and attendees can be found as well as presentations.
EPIC releases detailed market reports, technology reports, and industry analyses prepared by expert groups such as YOLE, TEMATYS, and other specialists. Topics include ultrafast lasers, photonics packaging, defence photonics, and semiconductor trends. Look at market reports
New reports are published each year, often aligned with major industry developments and EPIC’s event topics.
No. All reports are exclusive to EPIC members through EPIC’s extranet, though short extracts may be publicly accessible.
EPIC (European Photonics Industry Consortium) members can access the market reports through EPIC extranet where an account can be created. Contact the EPIC staff to get your account activated and all access rights set up.
EPIC (European Photonics Industry Consortium) builds connections through events and networking sessions and facilitated introductions. Members are encouraged to take an active role in events, share their perspectives during meetings, collaborate with fellow participants, and help drive the development of photonics across Europe.
Yes. EPIC actively introduces members to relevant partners and supports collaboration across the supply chain from materials suppliers to system integrators. Members interested in introductions are welcome to contact the Technology Managers. Contact EPIC
EPIC (European Photonics Industry Consortium) has a working group dedicated to Sustainability where members meet to discuss the challenges faced by the photonic companies. EPIC also hosts a group tailored for marketing professionals in the photonics industry, focusing on practical strategies and community building. With the HR Workgroup EPIC provides a dedicated space for talent operations managers to exchange views on emerging trends and challenges in recruitment and workforce development.
Photonics is the science and technology of using light to generate, transmit, process, and detect information. It enables much faster data transmission and higher precision than traditional electronics. Photonics is essential for modern technologies such as the internet, sensing systems, and advanced manufacturing. It also plays a key role in healthcare, space, and quantum technologies. Learn more
Photonics is widely used in fiber-optic internet connections, smartphone cameras, LED lighting, and displays. In industry, it powers laser-based manufacturing, medical imaging, LiDAR systems, and environmental monitoring. Data centers rely on photonics for fast and energy-efficient data transfer. These applications make photonics a foundational technology in modern society. Learn more
Key trends include integrated photonics, which place multiple optical functions on a single chip, and advanced photonics packaging for scalable manufacturing. There is growing convergence between photonics and microelectronics. Demand is increasing due to AI infrastructure, space technologies, and optical fiber sensing. Quantum photonics is also emerging as a transformative field.
Lasers provide precise and controlled light for applications such as manufacturing, medical procedures, communications, and research. Optical fibers transmit data as light with very low loss over long distances. Together, they form the backbone of global telecommunications and high-speed data networks. They are critical for internet connectivity, cloud services, and modern sensing systems.
Major challenges include scaling manufacturing, reducing costs, integrating photonics with electronics, and standardization. Overcoming these issues is crucial for mass deployment of photonic technologies. The field requires skills in optics, physics, electrical engineering, materials science, and software. Photonics offers interdisciplinary career opportunities in research, engineering, and industry.
EPIC (European Photonics Industry Consortium) shares member news and announcements on its social media channels, including LinkedIn, Instagram and X. These platforms feature updates related to new members, new product releases, research breakthroughs, changes in management, and new facilities.
More strategic information, such as financial reports, partnerships and M&A and capital news, is summarized in the monthly newsletter EPIC Spotlight: Photonics business news, which is sent via email to the professionals working at EPIC member companies and covers the key strategic developments in the photonics industry from the previous month.
Members can subscribe to the EPIC newsletter directly from the homepage by entering their name and email. Subscribe here
EPIC sends out regular newsletters to its members with segmented information. Topics include business news, biomedical, laser processing and components, optical and optical systems, aerospace and security, agrifood, semiconductor and integrated photonics, sensing and metrology and quantum.
You find all contact details to the EPIC team on the website. Contact EPIC
For general inquiries, including event participation and sponsorship, please contact the Events Managers. Each meeting has an assigned Event Manager who can assist with any logistics-related questions. You can find all relevant contact information in the “Contact Info” section of each event page.
For questions regarding membership and non-technical issues contact the Programme Manager.
The Photonics Technology Experts are available to support EPIC members with technology-related questions. They can also connect you with relevant EPIC members and share market and technology insights.
Jobs in Photonics is a specialized job board hosted by EPIC for the photonics industry. It exclusively features job openings from EPIC member organizations. The platform includes job, internship, and early-career opportunities. It serves companies, research institutions, and talent within the photonics ecosystem. Jobs in Photonics
The platform lists roles across R&D, engineering, manufacturing, quality management, and marketing. It also includes PhD, postdoctoral, and scientific positions at universities, research centres, and companies. R&D and manufacturing roles currently represent the highest hiring demand. Internship opportunities are also available for students and early-career professionals.
EPIC member companies can promote vacancies directly on the platform. They can also reach out proactively to candidates through the Photonics Talent Pool. The website provides insights into hiring trends, candidate behaviour, and HR topics. These features help companies improve recruitment strategies and efficiency.
The Talent Pool in Photonics connects skilled professionals with companies in the photonics industry. Candidates create anonymous profiles highlighting skills, experience, and career interests. Companies search for talent based on competencies rather than personal details. This skills-first approach improves matching quality.
Candidates remain anonymous until they choose to reveal their identity to a company. All communication happens within the platform, ensuring confidentiality. This is particularly useful for professionals who are currently employed. The approach also helps reduce recruitment bias and promotes fairer hiring.
The EPIC Workgroup on Sustainable Photonics is an initiative dedicated to helping photonics companies adopt sustainable practices. It focuses on environmental impact, social responsibility, and economic stability, guiding both beginner and advanced members toward more sustainable operations. EPIC Sustainability web
Sustainability is rapidly becoming central to corporate strategy globally, and the photonics industry is responding by integrating environmental and social responsibility into its core operations. This shift not only helps address climate challenges but also enhances competitiveness, efficiency, and long‑term value creation.
Photonics can reduce environmental impact by enabling cleaner renewable energy systems, providing advanced measurement tools for monitoring technologies, and improving resource‑efficient production. These contributions make photonics a key technology in addressing climate change.
Members attending get a chance to meet others in the industry working in similar roles and learn about how other photonic companies are dealing with sustainability. The meetings also offer a chance to get updates on more general sustainability questions.
