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OPTECH CONSULTING
  
MARKET REPORT  ON LASER MATERIALS PROCESSING

Major Results of the Report 

The market for laser materials processing systems accounted for a worldwide volume of Euro 3.9 billion (US$ 3.7 billion) in 2002. This compares to a volume of Euro 1.1 billion in 1992. The average annual growth rate (CAGR) for the ten years period is 13.5%.

Laser processing systems comprise two major segments:

  1. Laser Macro Processing Systems (Laser Machine Tools). Laser Macro Processing includes mainly cutting, welding, and marking, but also dilling, surface structuring & treatment, as well as 3D material build-up.
  2. Laser Micro Processing Systems: Specialized laser systems used in manufacturing of semiconductors, LCDs, electronic components, hybrid circuits, and printed circuit boards. Laser Micro Processing includes e.g. trimming, link blowing, via drilling, and microlithography.
The demand in the two segments follows the economic cycles of the machine tool and the IC & electronics capital equipment market, respectively. However, lasers still enjoy stronger than average growth due to the fact that lasers, as a comparably young technology, have not yet fully exploited their application potential.

In 2002, Laser Macro Processing Systems accounted for a worldwide market volume of Euro 2.9 billion (US$ 2.7 billion), Laser Micro Processing Systems accounted for a market of about Euro 1.0 billion (US$ 0.9 billion). For compiling these figures the full value of the laser systems (= machines) has been included with one exception: For microlithography only the value of the lasers is included (and not the full value of the deep UV wafer steppers).


For the next eight years (2003 through 2010) an average annual growth rate of 13% is expected. When comparing that figure with the 13.5% average growth rate recorded for the 1992 through 2002 period it has to be kept in mind that the volume of the 2002 market is depressed by the presently poor economic conditions.

Until 2010, Laser Micro Processing Systems are expected to show stronger market growth than Laser Macro Processing Systems. The average annual growth rate 2003 through 2010 is expected to be 17.2% for the Micro Processing segment, and 11.2% for the Macro Processing segment  The forecast is based on the assumption (1) of a beginning recovery of the worldwide economy in 2003, and (2) no additional radical economic downturns during the rest of the decade.

The world market for laser sources for material processing accounted for Euro 1.4 billion in 2002. This includes mainly CO2, solid state, and excimer lasers. By 2010, the market volume is expected to increase to Euro 3.5 billion. The strongest growth is expected for diode-pumped solid state lasers (DPS). DPS include rod and disk lasers, as well as fiber lasers.


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