Nobel Laureates urge European Commission to include a European photonics partnership as a key priority in Horizon Europe

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Published on 07 June 2019

Three leading European Nobel Laureates from France and Germany have warned that failure to include a dedicated programme for photonics in the EU’s next Horizon Europe 2021-27 programme will jeopardise the deep technology capability and capacity that will be essential for powering the future European digital economy.

The scientists - Gérard Mourou, Nobel Laureate in Physics 2018; Stefan W. Hell, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry 2014, and Theodor W Hänsch, Nobel Laureate in Physics 2005 – were all awarded the Nobel Prize for their work in the field of photonics and photonics enabled sciences.

“Photonics underpins as yet undiscovered advances in many other sectors including health, space, mobility and security,” said the Laureates in a jointly signed open letter to the European Commission in which they call on it to reconsider the current draft programming for the Cluster on Industry and Digital within the future Horizon programme and include photonics as the tenth technology priority.

The explicit focus on Photonics in the current Horizon 2020 programme has resulted in Europe enjoying a world leading position and outstanding excellence in photonics science and technology.

“The Photonics 21 contractual public private partnership (cPPP) was assessed best in class in the mid-term review under the Horizon 2020 programme and a role model for future European partnerships, explained Carlos Lee, Director General, European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC). Now the Commission is abandoning its star performer and throwing away Europe’s chance to lead the world in the technology of the future. Europe has already lost its dominance in the semi-conductor, LED and solar industries, the Commission must take action now before it condemns Europe’s burgeoning photonics sector and related strategic value chains to the same fate.”

“The EU has the opportunity to make Europe the world-leader in photonics, continued Lee. In doing so it will shore up Europe’s sovereign security and underpin its ability to compete in the next phase of the digital revolution. It will also support the SME sector which drives the EU economy and represents 86% of Europe’s 5000 photonics companies.”

Photonics enable the deep tech applications that power the technologies and industries of the future: in medicine, photonics make up some 80% of the in-vitro diagnostic market; they are a vital component in aeronautics; and also in the data encryption and security sectors. Photonics provide the sensing that connects the physical with the digital in the new robotic era. Photonic integrated circuits are not only faster than traditional electronics, they are also more power efficient and consume less energy – making them the sustainable choice for the future.

The photonics community represents a family of technologies which are crucial to strategic value chains across a range of sectors. It must not be disbanded but kept together in order that it can develop applications across a host of industries - from aeronautics and security through to MedTech, telecoms and autonomous vehicles. It needs a direct funding line and clear financial instruments that enable it to realise its potential in the new electronic age. Without this Europe will not only miss the boat in terms of its technological lead but will also cut off the supply of vital products and result in the loss of billions of Euros in contracts.

Experts acknowledge photonics as key to developing Europe’s deep tech ecosystem

• The 2018 European Investment Bank report describes photonics as an “essential Key Enabling Technology …. of the next digital revolution … with huge potential to fuel innovation and economic growth…. they provide the building blocks for disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, additive manufacturing, robotics, Internet of Things, autonomous driving, etc.” It estimates the photonics industry to bring a positive "leverage" impact to 10% of the European economy, with leverage ratios that may go up to 50, between the photonics market size and the total market size impacted.
• An independent expert group ranked the Commission’s own Photonics21 cPPP first out of the ten existing cPPPs during the mid-term review under Horizon 2020.

So why is photonics not included in Horizon Europe, the 2021-27 programme?

It is vital that the Commission recognises the crucial role photonics plays in the industrial ecosystem and makes it a priority in Horizon Europe. By ensuring that it receives secure funding we can safeguard Europe’s competitiveness and realise the potential of new technologies in driving its advancement in the new electronic age.

For further information please contact:
Carlos Lee, Director General; EPIC – European Photonics Industry Consortium
Mobile/WhatsApp: +32 473300433
Skype: carlos.lee.epic
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

EPIC is the world leading industry association that promotes the sustainable development of organizations working in the field of photonics. We foster a vibrant photonics ecosystem by maintaining a strong network and acting as a catalyst and facilitator for technological and commercial advancement. EPIC publishes market and technology reports, organizes technical workshops and B2B roundtables, supports EU funding proposals, advocacy and lobbying, education and training activities, standards and roadmaps, pavilions at exhibitions.

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