“Lithuania can already boast of its achievements in laser and space technologies, but we have a huge potential for growth in the future. We aim to become a strong international player. This centre will bring together the most promising talents under one roof for the world-class value-added businesses growth.
In the last few months alone, at least two start-ups have already been born in the fields of defence and security technologies and photonics for space research. In addition, this year the European Space Agency’s Business Incubation Centre will be located here, which will help to establish at least 25 space start-ups within five years,” said Aušrinė Armonaitė, Minister of Economy and Innovation during the opening of the centre.
The new centre is home to the space technology company Kongsberg NanoAvionics, the laser micromachining companies Optogama and Optonas, the laser system developers Akoneer and Direct Machining Control, the defence and security technology companies Ados-Tech and Ados Pro, and the materials processing company Protogama. It will also host a digital innovation centre.
90% of services of these companies are exported to the U.S., Germany, France, Taiwan, and the Middle East. Most of the companies in the centre also provide components and services to each other, thus extending the domestic supply chain.
The value of the project totals 8.5 million euros, including 6.25 million euros in private investments and 2.25 million euros from the European Regional Development Fund.
Facts and figures for the laser and aerospace industry
- Over 90% of Lithuania’s laser industry is concentrated in Vilnius and 80% of its output is exported.
- The value added per employee in the laser industry is 3 times the national average.
- 95% of the world’s TOP 100 universities use Lithuanian lasers for research.
- Laser systems are increasingly used in industrial and automotive applications, welding, cutting drilling, and surface treatment processes.
- The space technology industry grew by 70% between 2010 and 2020.
- Between 2022 and 2026, the global aerospace industry will grow at 6.84% annually.
