The modern optical industry was born in the Thuringian town of Jena. Here, the pioneer and entrepreneur Carl Zeiss and the scientist Ernst Abbe laid the groundwork for companies like ZEISS and many others that combine research with the manufacture of high-tech equipment. The industry continues its tradition of research and development: In 2016, the 187 Thuringian companies belonging to the industry spent the record sum of 370 million euros on R&D. In Thuringia, the industry’s annual turnover amounted to 3.1 billion euros, which is 10 percent of sales of the industry in Germany as a whole. The share of foreign sales made by Thuringian optics companies averages 66 percent, which underscores how strong the industry is in exports. OptoNet helps its members network, is involved in location marketing and cooperates with regional, national and international networks for optics and allied fields of technology, as well as related partners. OptoNet’s subsidiary CoOPTICS GmbH has the mission of encouraging R&D. It proposes, applies for and supports projects, actively monitors trends and technology in the field, and offers consulting services as regards funding.(hw)
