SHERIDAN, WYOMING – March 4, 2025 – The economic development of the high-tech industries of optics, photonics, analysis and medical technology is showing subdued momentum. According to preliminary calculations by the German Industry Association SPECTARIS based on current figures from the Federal Statistical Office, the total sales of the approximately 2,700 companies with more than 50 employees grew nominally by 1.3 percent to 91 billion euros. While domestic sales stagnated at 30 billion euros, international business increased by 1.9 percent to 61 billion euros. The export quota is therefore 67 percent.
The number of employees rose by 2.3 percent to almost 360,000. After a sales increase of almost seven percent in the previous year, the current result shows that the economic slowdown has also left its mark on these industries. Despite their robustness compared to many other sectors of the manufacturing industry, it is clear that the momentum of recent years could not be maintained. Targeted economic policy impulses are needed to secure innovation and competitiveness in the long term.
Jörg Mayer, Managing Director of SPECTARIS, comments on the industry data: “The current figures illustrate the challenges facing the SPECTARIS industries: Unabated increasing regulation, international trade barriers and too slow progress in digitalization make it difficult for our member companies to reach their full potential. Targeted measures are needed to revive growth momentum and strengthen Germany's attractiveness as a business location.”
With the future plan for high-tech SMEs in Germany, the SPECTARIS recommendations for the 21st German Bundestag and the new federal government provide concrete recommendations for action for a future-oriented economic policy. In order to secure the innovative strength and competitiveness of the high-tech industries in the long term, targeted measures must be taken and growth brakes must be released. These industries represent progress, economic stability and global competitiveness – their promotion is essential for sustainable economic development.
The following measures are therefore necessary:
- More Engagement by the Federal Government in Brussels to Reduce Bureaucracy:
- The density of regulation makes it difficult for companies to access the market and ties up valuable resources. Efficient and practical regulations are required to accelerate innovation processes.
- Shorten Export Procedures and Secure International Competitiveness:
- Faster export approvals, a strategic trade orientation and an active role for Germany in international markets sustainably strengthen the location.
- Specifically Advance Digitalization and the Use of AI:
- The consistent expansion of digital infrastructures, efficient access to high-quality data and innovation-friendly implementation of the AI Act in the EU create important foundations for the future.
- Lead Germany Back to the Top of Innovation:
- Investments in cutting-edge technological research and targeted funding programs for SMEs are crucial to generate long-term growth.
- Strengthen Photonics as a Strategic Key Technology and Medical Technology as a Leading Industry:
- These technologies play a key role in the areas of digitalization, quantum technology and healthcare. Their targeted support secures Germany's technological leadership.
“Our high-tech industries have proven their resilience in recent years and set impulses. They are growth drivers for Germany as a business location. Now it is important to set the right course to further expand this position,” says Mayer.
The SPECTARIS recommendations for the 21st German Bundestag and the new federal government “A future plan for German high-tech SMEs” can be downloaded here.
SPECTARIS is the German Industry Association for Optics, Photonics, Analysis and Medical Technology based in Berlin. The association represents around 400 predominantly export-oriented, medium-sized German companies. The consumer optics (ophthalmic optics, remote optics, photographic technology), photonics, medical technology and analysis, bio and laboratory technology sectors generated total sales of over 90 billion euros in 2023 and employed around 353,000 people.
For more information visit.