{"id":4583,"date":"2026-03-17T12:06:17","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T11:06:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optatec-messe.de\/?post_type=specials&p=4583"},"modified":"2026-03-17T12:20:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T11:20:22","slug":"top-innovations-for-the-future-at-optatec-2026","status":"publish","type":"specials","link":"https:\/\/www.optatec-messe.de\/en\/specials\/top-innovations-for-the-future-at-optatec-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Innovations for the Future at Optatec 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=”yes” gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1\/1″ uncode_shortcode_id=”413347″ column_width_pixel=”720″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”916803″]An international expert audience will gather for the 17th<\/sup> Optatec international trade fair for optical technologies, components and systems at its traditional venue in Frankfurt from the 5th<\/sup> through the 7th<\/sup> of May, 2026. Nowhere else do international experts, manufacturers and users meet in such a focused manner as at Optatec. Some of the highlights of this year\u2019s supplementary programme include expert presentations and panel discussions as part of the \u201cPhotonics Talks\u201d series, as well as the conferral of the Photonics Frontiers Award.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Optatec 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 5th<\/sup> through the 7th<\/sup> of May, 2026. The event deals with innovations in the fields of optical components, optomechanics, optoelectronics, fibre optics, laser components and digital microscopy, as well as processing machines and manufacturing systems for optics production. The highly specialised platform for optics and photonics is recognised as a leading trade fair with high levels of internationalism and showcases optical technologies, components and systems at their best. Optics is one of the key technologies which is shaping the future, because it bridges the gap between fundamental physics research and modern technical applications in many industries. Examples of photonics applications can be found in many disciplines and industries, and they have a significant impact on our everyday lives. For example, optical elements and applied photonics play an important role in the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries, in machinery and systems manufacturing, in industrial production, in automotive engineering, in laboratory automation and in traffic safety, as well as in astronomy, microscopy, and safety and security applications.[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_size=”h4″ uncode_shortcode_id=”195083″]Exclusive Expertise and Discussions at the \u201cPhotonics Talks\u201d[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”122799″]Trade fair promoters P.\u00a0E. Schall are promising a special supplementary programme for this year\u2019s event, including the \u201cPhotonics Talks\u201d: The talks will examine the connection 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 developments and applications of photonics in the security and defence sectors. This will be followed by a discussion with the speakers at midday. The afternoon\u2019s thematic focus will centre on \u201cSemiconductor Manufacturing and Inspection\u201d \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

On the second day of the event, the Photonics Talks will focus on the field of automotive sensors and sensors for autonomous vehicles. Once again, speakers will address this topic in 30-minute presentations and discuss their findings at midday 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 at Optatec 2026 will provide a concise overview of current developments in key areas of applied photonics and create space for a professional exchange of ideas, discussion and networking within the international community.[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_size=”h4″ uncode_shortcode_id=”577580″]Ideal Platform for Technological Innovations at the Photonics Frontiers Award[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”148619″]\u201cAnother highlight we\u2019re very much looking forward to is the presentation of the Photonics Frontiers Award, which ideally complements the exciting, world-class supplementary programme at Optatec 2026,\u201d emphasises Bettina Schall, managing director of trade fair promoters P. E. Schall. \u201cAward 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,\u201d says the managing director. The award 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. Expert visitors and interested parties will be provided with the opportunity of experiencing cutting-edge photonics innovations and engaging in direct dialogue with the project managers.[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_size=”h4″ uncode_shortcode_id=”452053″]Highly Compelling Concentration of Photonics Expertise at the Frankfurt Trade Fair Venue[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”152024″]With its unique and highly compelling combination of exhibition, presentations, discussions and an awards ceremony, the 17th edition of Optatec, taking place from 5 to 7 May 2026, will be an inspiring platform for information, an exchange of ideas amongst 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\u2019s 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 \u2013 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 its favourable access to public transport, including direct rapid-transit railway connections, makes it easy to get to there.[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_size=”h3″ uncode_shortcode_id=”496677″]Keep yourself well informed!<\/em>[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”355007″]To the website: www.optatec-messe.de<\/a>
\nTechnical information on the trade fair and the industry: www.optatec-messe\/news-stories<\/a>
\nSubscribe to the newsletter: www.optatec-messe.de\/#newsletter<\/a>
\nFollow us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com\/company\/optatec-messe\/<\/a>
\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_size=”h3″ uncode_shortcode_id=”186474″]64 Years of Trade Fairs for Markets \u2013 Schall Trade Fairs\u2019 Recipe for Success<\/em>[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”578971″]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.<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An international expert audience will gather for the 17th Optatec international trade fair for optical technologies, components and systems at its traditional venue in Frankfurt from the 5th through the 7th of May, 2026. Nowhere else do international experts, manufacturers and users meet in such a focused manner as at Optatec. Some of the highlights of this year\u2019s supplementary programme include expert presentations and panel discussions as part of the \u201cPhotonics Talks\u201d series, as well as the conferral of the Photonics Frontiers Award.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4579,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"class_list":["post-4583","specials","type-specials","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-press"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.optatec-messe.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/specials\/4583","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.optatec-messe.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/specials"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.optatec-messe.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/specials"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.optatec-messe.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.optatec-messe.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4583"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.optatec-messe.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/specials\/4583\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4586,"href":"https:\/\/www.optatec-messe.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/specials\/4583\/revisions\/4586"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.optatec-messe.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4579"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.optatec-messe.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.optatec-messe.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}