Optatec 2026 is Ready for Take-Off!

Top innovations for the future, exclusive expert discussions and an outstanding platform for excellence in photonics: the 17^th Optatec international trade fair for optical technologies, components and systems is ready for lift-off and will attract an international audience to its traditional exhibition venue in Frankfurt from the 5^th through the 7^th of May, 2026. Expert visitors will experience a wealth of innovations focusing on the technical applications of light. Highlights at this year’s industry event will include new products and solutions as part of the exhibition, specialised technical presentations and panel discussions at the “Photonics Talks”, as well as the conferral of the prestigious Photonics Frontiers Award.

Nowhere else do international experts, manufacturers and users meet in such a focused manner as at Optatec. The trade fair for optical technologies, components and systems, covering the technical utilisation of light in its many different facets, will take place in Frankfurt from the 5^th through the 7^th of May, 2026 – the event covers optical components, optomechanics, optoelectronics, fibre optics, laser components and digital microscopy, as well as processing machines and manufacturing systems for optics production. An exchange of exclusive technical know-how will dominate this year’s leading trade fair with high levels of international participation during the two-day “Photonics Talks”, which will examine the links between optical technologies on the one hand, and engineering, the natural sciences and industry on the other.

The morning of the first day of the trade fair will focus on the topic of defence: 30-minute expert presentations will highlight current photonics developments and applications in the security and defence sectors. This will be followed by a discussion with the speakers at midday. The afternoon’s thematic focus will centre on “Semiconductor Manufacturing and Inspection” – the 30-minute technical presentations will address the role of optical technologies in semiconductor manufacturing and quality assurance. Another panel discussion with the speakers will round out the first day of the trade fair in the afternoon.

On the second day of the event, the Photonics Talks will explore topics covering all aspects of “Automotive Sensors and Sensors for Autonomous Vehicles”. Expert visitors will once again be able to attend 30-minute technical presentations. At midday, the experts will discuss their findings in a moderated panel discussion. The expert presentations in the afternoon will deal with the life sciences and biophotonics, and will offer insights into optical technologies for medical diagnostics, imaging and bioscience applications. The speakers will conclude the second day of the trade fair with another moderated panel discussion. The Photonics Talks will create space for a professional exchange of ideas, discussion and networking within the international community. Expert visitors will be provided with a concise overview of current developments in key areas of applied photonics.

A further trade fair highlight will be the presentation of the Photonics Frontiers Award, which ideally complements the exciting, world-class supplementary programme at Optatec 2026. Award organiser Electro Optics honours application-oriented projects that solve real-world problems thanks to photonics technology with this prize. The award will thus highlight the impressive capabilities afforded by photonics. It recognises ground-breaking developments that inspire enthusiasm for technological innovation and shape the future of photonics. Awards will be presented in the categories of biophotonics and medical applications, industrial imaging, industrial laser systems, optical communication and data transmission, quantum technologies and optical computing, sensor and measuring applications, as well as defence, aviation and aerospace. An outstanding expert jury will evaluate the submissions. The award ceremony will take place on the second day of the trade fair, 6 May 2026, at 3:30 p.m. in the exhibitor forum at Optatec 2026.

“We’re looking forward to an interesting and exciting Optatec 2026,” says Bettina Schall, managing director of trade fair promoters P. E. Schall. “Taking place once every two years, the trade fair highlight brings together all of the major players in the optics and photonics sectors, and serves as a signpost for this key technology of the future.” “Expert visitors and interested parties are cordially invited to experience cutting-edge photonics innovations at Optatec, and to explore individual topics in person,” says the managing director.

With its unique and highly compelling combination of exhibition, presentations, discussions and an awards ceremony, the 17^th edition of Optatec, taking place from 5 to 7 May 2026, will be an inspiring platform for information, an exchange of ideas among experts and networking at all levels. Exhibitors and visitors will enjoy significant added value by participating at Optatec, not least of all because Frankfurt offers ideal travel and accommodation opportunities. As a central transportation hub with Germany’s largest commercial airport and direct access to the motorway, the traditional exhibition venue provides expert visitors and exhibitors from all over the world with optimum accessibility. The Rhine-Main region, with Frankfurt at its centre, is a thriving hub for business, industry and research, offering easy access to photonics users and potential customers. The region has strong links to the optical industry – optics and photonics are well-established fields of research at regional and other nearby universities with their own specialised laboratories. Its location on the ground floor of the exhibition centre makes visiting the event a convenient experience, and favourable access to public transport, including direct rapid-transit railway connections, makes it easy to get to there.

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Schall has developed successful business platforms with internationally recognised trade fairs for quality assurance (Control), optical technologies, components and systems (Optatec), stamping technology (Stanztec), automation in production and assembly (Motek), bonding technology (Bondexpo), plastics processing (Fakuma), sheet metal working (Blechexpo) and joining technology (Schweisstec). This has given rise to entirely new markets in various sectors, whose protagonists are distinguished by tremendous innovative strength, comprehensive systems competence and practical application solutions.