Lithuanian laser producers export almost all of their products abroad, with less than 10 % sold in the domestic market. Laser scientists say that growth has been stable in recent years, at around 15 % annually.
"India and China have large laser markets and laser segments. We make great efforts to be visible there. Our products are mostly sold to scientists, but we also try to make it into industry. However, they have certain requirements that are rather difficult to meet for now," Optolita Director Dainius Tumosa said.
According to laser scientists, medicine remains the most closed market and access to that market is likely to remain difficult for another decade or more.
Defense is another area that interests Lithuanians. Laser products of this type are purchased by the United Kingdom, France, Norway, Switzerland and the United States.
"We previously offered only product components to our customers, but what we offer now is a final product. Systems for the security and defense industry were a great success and we managed to generate round a third of the total sales from this sector in less than a year," Augustinas Vizbaras, a scientist and co-owner of Brolis Semiconductors, said.
Lithuanian laser producers say that sensors are and will remain the most promising direction as all smart technologies use laser technologies and all big market players, such as Google, Apple and Microsoft invest in them now.
