On Monday, 11 September, the Lithuanian Laser Laboratory was opened in Taiwan, with the aim to accelerate the development of laser and other new technologies.

‘The opening of the Lithuanian Laser Laboratory in Taiwan is another very important step towards strengthening the cooperation between Lithuania and Taiwan. In the field of lasers, Lithuania is a well-known name globally; 90 percent of laser products manufactured in Lithuania are exported to more than 100 countries worldwide. Combining the scientific and technological potential of Lithuania and Taiwan, the new research centre will undoubtedly be a great technological incentive and ensure innovative solutions in the rapidly growing laser sector’, said the Minister of the Economy and Innovation.

14 Lithuanian laser and photonics companies have contributed to the opening of the Laboratory, investing €1.5 million in the centre’s laboratory equipment. Taiwan has also invested €1.5 million to build modern facilities for laser professionals.

‘Lithuania is famous for its lasers, and we have comprehensive knowledge about how laser light interacts with different materials and how it may be used to shape, modify or structure them. I have no doubt that with its strong semiconductor and electronics industry, Taiwan is the right partner for us to apply our competences and capabilities in precise laser processing of materials and to expand our activities worldwide’, said Gediminas Račiukaitis, President of the Lithuanian Laser Association.

The Lithuanian Laser Laboratory in Taiwan will also be used as a platform for fundamental laser research, funded by the Lithuanian Science Council and Taiwan.

Over the past decade, the production of electronic and optical products in Lithuania has grown by about 15% per year. Lithuanian-made products are exported to major EU member states as well as laboratories and research centres in the US and Japan.

Early this year, the Lithuanian Laser Association and Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) signed a letter of intent to establish a joint laser technology research centre in Taiwan.