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Thuringia's photonics industry defies crises: 2050 new jobs by 2026!
Thuringia is struggling with economic challenges while the photonics industry creates new jobs and promotes innovation.
Thuringia's photonics industry defies crises: 2050 new jobs by 2026!
The economy in Germany is under pressure. This is particularly felt by medium-sized companies, which repeatedly have to struggle with issues such as a lack of orders, high costs and overwhelming bureaucracy. The situation is no different in Thuringia. Current reports from Thüringen24 show that uncertainty is dampening the mood in many regions. But amidst these challenges, there is also positive news: The photonics industry in Thuringia has big plans and is announcing strong new hires.
New positions in the photonics industry
A total of 2,050 new employees are to be hired by the end of 2026 as part of the expansion, as Thüringen24 reports. What is particularly positive is that 500 of these positions are replacements due to retirements, while the rest include new positions. There are currently around 650 positions open in Thuringia, primarily in the areas of research, manufacturing, electronics and IT. It turns out that recruiting engineers is a major challenge, while demand for commercial professions is stable.
Thuringia's innovative strength remains unbroken even in difficult economic times. Companies in the photonics industry continue to invest heavily in research and development. Spending in this area is expected to exceed a record value of 600 million euros in 2024. These investments are crucial for the growth and competitiveness of the industry, which generates around four billion euros annually, especially in cities such as Jena and the Saale-Holzland district.
Technological focus and unique selling point
The Thuringian photonics industry is characterized by a wide range of technologies. According to information from photonicsreport.optonet.info, the location has a recognized unique selling point in Germany and internationally. There are no comparable locations with a similar density of companies in areas such as optics and mechanics, measurement technology and sensors, laser technology and optoelectronics. These companies cover all value-added areas of photonics, making the region an important innovation location.
- Optik und Mechanik
- Messtechnik und Sensorik
- Lasertechnik
- Optoelektronik
However, the industry is not only active locally, but is also showing strong growth on the global market. According to a study by TEMATYS on behalf of SPECTARIS, the market for laser sources will increase to a whopping 26.8 billion euros by 2027. This forecast demonstrates the high demand from various industries and consumers for innovative systems and components. Areas such as material processing, sensor technology, communication and defense are particularly hard hit.
Overall, it can be seen that the photonics industry in Thuringia has taken a successful path despite the tense economic situation. The combination of innovation, massive investments and the creation of new jobs brings a breath of fresh air to the state's economy and gives rise to optimism for the coming years.