There is an extremely wide range of applications in the laser industry, and among them the processing and communications industry accounted for the majority with up to 74% of the applications. In 2015, the Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM) market for 3D printing grew 71%, and market is expected to experience similarly successful growth in 2016.

PIDA pointed out that in 2015 the ratio of profits for lasers with semiconductors to lasers without semiconductors was 47% to 53%, which was not a big change compared to the ratio of 48% to 52% in 2014. From the standpoint of growth rate, the three laser application domains that experienced the biggest growth rates were instruments and sensors, with a growth rate of 8.5%; military and scientific research at 7.8%; and laser processing at 7%, and optical fibers was the main source of growth.

It is worth noting that the rapid growth rate of 3D printing LAM technology will increase each year in the future. Furthermore, manufacturers are also expecting market breakthroughs for light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems for driverless vehicles and autopilot infrared lasers.

In addition, with the global trend towards elderly average ages, serious consideration is being given to business opportunities for medical technologies. Therefore, it is estimated that yearly profits for medical application lasers will also continue to rise.

(TR/ Phil Sweeney)