Carl Zeiss Challenge in Optical Technologies
EUR 77 million have been invested in R & D during the first half of the current fiscal year alone. This is almost 6 % more than in the previous year and approx. 7.5% of sales. For Carl Zeiss, this has been the basis for the ever increa-sing success of its business. "Over 42 % of our sales are achieved with products which are younger than three years," Kaschke said.
Key industries such as biology and medicine, industrial manufacturing, telecommunications, are directly or indirectly dependent on optical technologies - with an exceptional effect on subsequent production. This is especially evident, e.g. regarding the example of the electronics industry: Optical lithography plays a major role in the production of microchips. This is a technology in which Carl Zeiss is a worldwide leader.
While worldwide sales achieved with lithography optics amoun-ted to just short of US$ 1 billion, the sales reached with the microchips made using this optical technology totalled US$ 155 billion. The sales attained with the electronic units where these microchips are incorporated, e.g. computers, digital cameras, mobile phones, amounted to US$ 1,160 billion. This means that every dollar in sales spent on lithography optics generates 1,000 dollars of industrial production.
Optical technologies have in the meantime also gained recognition among the authorities involved in the funding of economic and technical projects. For example, the sixth Framework Programme of the EU on research funding totalling EUR 17.5 billion includes subjects such as "Modern methods of optical production", "Diagnosis and treatment of tumors using light" or "New methods of optical lithography". In Germany, funding programs for optical technologies totalling EUR 270 million have also been launched where Carl Zeiss plays a leading role. The company Carl Zeiss itself also promotes innovation. Every two years, for example, the EUR 25,000 "Carl Zeiss Research Award" is presented for outstanding work in the field of optics.
Despite the now improved political environment, the significance and future prospects of the optical industry are widely unknown to the general public. This is reflected in a pronounced lack of young executives. Dr. Kaschke complained that "a major obstacle to even stronger growth is the lack of highly skilled staff in research and development, and engineering." As part of its continuing develop-ment, the Carl Zeiss Group will create approx. 200 new jobs for scientists - primarily mathematicians and physicists - and engineers.
(Source: APBiscom)
