Lasers are becoming a core enabling technology across a wide range of industries – from manufacturing and semiconductors to medical applications, mobility, and advanced engineering. In this rapidly growing sector, Lithuania is becoming increasingly visible, with its companies and technologies playing an important role in Europe’s innovation ecosystem.
Andreas Riegler, Founder and General Partner at APEX Ventures, recently shared insights on the European laser market on his LinkedIn profile and published the visual European Laser Technology Startup Landscape, highlighting the continent’s fast-growing laser technology and photonics potential.
According to the data he shared, the European laser market reached USD 6.06 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 6.47 billion in 2026. By 2034, the market is projected to reach USD 10.94 billion.
However, as A. Riegler notes, the key signal is not only market size. Lasers are becoming a core enabling layer across multiple industrial sectors at the same time – from manufacturing and semiconductors to medical devices, mobility, and transport solutions.
Fastest-growing segments
A. Riegler’s market overview highlights that while the overall market is growing at an average annual rate of 6.79%, several segments are expanding significantly faster. The indicator CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) refers to the average annual growth rate over a defined period.
Based on the figures he shared:
- medical and cosmetic applications – 14.1% CAGR
- diode lasers – 13.3%
- automotive and transportation – 13.1%
- pulsed-mode lasers – 12.2%
This demonstrates that the laser market is not a single uniform growth story, but rather a combination of distinct segments driven by different industrial and technological demands.
Lithuanian companies among Europe’s ecosystem players
Lithuanian companies are also visible in the European Laser Technology Startup Landscape, operating across a broad range of laser technology fields – from semiconductors and precision manufacturing to optics, energy, transportation, robotics, and other high-tech applications.
A total of 87 European companies are featured on the map, with 15 of them from Lithuania. This is a notable result that reflects the visibility of Lithuania’s laser sector at the European level.
Dr. Gediminas Račiukaitis, President of the Lithuanian Laser Association, notes that the overview focuses primarily on growing technology companies and innovation ecosystems, while also including more mature businesses with longer operating histories.
“The strength of Lithuania’s laser sector lies in its ability to combine science, engineering, and entrepreneurship. As a result, our companies successfully develop technologies needed by global markets – from semiconductors to the medical industry,” says Dr. Račiukaitis.
Lithuania’s laser sector continued strong growth in 2025
As every year, the Lithuanian Laser Association conducted a survey of sector companies regarding their business performance. Preliminary 2025 data shows that sector sales grew by 21.5%.
An even stronger long-term trend is visible in the 2020–2025 CAGR of 16.7%, demonstrating consistent and rapid sector growth even under challenging global market conditions.
The main export destinations for Lithuanian laser companies remain the United States, Germany, China, Japan, and other advanced industrial markets.
Companies are also planning further expansion – both by increasing headcount and investing in manufacturing and technological capacity. One of the most recent announcements came from Light Conversion, which revealed plans to expand its laser manufacturing and R&D centre in Vilnius.
The company has been granted major project status, and the planned investment amounts to EUR 47 million. The project will include expanded production capacity, new research facilities, and the creation of additional highly skilled jobs.
These developments show that Lithuania’s laser sector is not only succeeding in international markets, but is also consistently investing in long-term growth, innovation, and competitiveness.
📌 Andreas Riegler’s original post can be viewed HERE.
