Largest-ever Laser World of Photonics India strengthens India’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem

Laser World of Photonics India 2026 concluded at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), Bengaluru, recording its largest edition to date. Held from 16–18 September 2026, the trade fair brought together the laser, optics and photonics ecosystem from India and international markets.

The exhibition presented technologies across laser material processing, including cutting, welding, marking and cleaning, as well as optics and optomechanics, imaging, spectroscopy, machine vision, optical metrology, precision measurement, additive manufacturing and photonics components.

The 2026 edition featured 155 exhibiting companies from 14 countries across 6600 sqm and welcomed 10,962 trade visitors from more than 21 countries over three days.

Visitors represented industries where laser and photonics technologies are playing an expanding role, including automotive and electric mobility, electronics, semiconductor design and manufacturing, aerospace, defense, healthcare, telecommunications, industrial machinery, precision engineering and scientific research.

The Buyer–Seller Forum served as a key business platform at the event. Through more than 581 meetings exhibitors connected with buyers and decision-makers evaluating technologies for active projects, capacity expansion, process improvements and future procurement. More than 308 unique buyer companies registered for the forum.

A new CMTI delegation initiative brought more than 38 India / International members to the exhibition for focused engagement with participating companies. The visit enabled discussions on laser technologies, precision manufacturing applications and potential industry collaboration.

The signing of the Laser World of Photonics India CONFEX MoU marked an important step towards strengthening engagement between industry and the research community. The initiative will support continued knowledge exchange and closer collaboration around emerging laser and photonics applications.

Industry engagement focused on application and adoption

Live technology demonstrations and technical discussions enabled visitors to compare systems, assess application suitability and engage directly with manufacturers, suppliers and solution providers.

Production and engineering teams explored laser systems for cutting, welding, marking, cleaning and surface treatment. Technology buyers also evaluated developments in optics, imaging, sensing, metrology, spectroscopy, machine vision and photonics components for industrial, scientific and research applications.

The participation of international exhibitors and delegations created opportunities for technology partnerships, distribution arrangements, application development and engagement with India’s growing advanced-manufacturing market.

Bhupinder Singh, President IMEA, Messe München and CEO, Messe Muenchen India, said, “This has been the largest edition of Laser World of Photonics India to date, and it reflects the growing strategic importance of laser and photonics technologies to India’s manufacturing, research and high-precision industries. Initiatives such as the CMTI delegation, the expanded Buyer-Seller Forum and the signing of the Laser World of Photonics India CONFEX MoU created stronger connections across industry, research and technology. We remain committed to developing this platform in line with the market’s evolving priorities and India’s advanced manufacturing ambitions.”

Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer, CEO, Messe München, added, “The participation of 78 international exhibitors demonstrated the strong global interest in India’s growing laser and photonics market. The visit to the CMTI laboratory gave international exhibitors a closer understanding of India’s manufacturing capabilities, research infrastructure, and application requirements. Such exchanges help companies move beyond initial market exploration and identify meaningful opportunities for technical cooperation, local partnerships, and long-term business development.”

Conferences connect advanced research with industrial applications

The supporting programme was led by the Photonics Research and Innovation in Science and Manufacturing (PRISM) and Smart Manufacturing with Lasers conferences. The Photonics Research and Innovation in Science and Manufacturing (PRISM) Conference was organised with IEEE Photonics Society India Chapter and IEEE Photonics Society Bangalore Chapter. The Smart Manufacturing with Lasers Conference was organised with Laserman India. Delegations attended both conference programmes.

The PRISM conference program 6 featured two focused sessions: Quantum Photonics in India and Photonics in Space & Communication.

• The Quantum Photonics in India session examined the progress of the field from foundational research towards communication networks, enterprise applications and technical education. Discussions covered free-space optics for satellite communication in the 6G era, digital twins for quantum communication networks, and the photonics tools and learning infrastructure required to support quantum-technology development.
• The Photonics in Space & Communication session addressed photonics applications in defence electronics, intense-laser-based sources of electrons, X-rays and protons, photonic systems for communication and sensing, and micro-alignment for long-distance communication.

The Smart Manufacturing with Lasers programme examined the application of laser technologies across automotive and electric-vehicle production, defence, industrial manufacturing, additive manufacturing, refurbishment, precision tooling and quality control. It also addressed women’s participation in photonics and smart manufacturing, along with the challenges and opportunities shaping the Indian laser market.

Industry institutions support ecosystem development

The event received support from international associations VDMA Laser and Laser Systems for Material Processing, the European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC) and SPECTARIS, as well as national associations the Laser Industries Association of India (LIAI) and the Optical Society of India.

Their participation strengthened engagement between technology companies, research institutions, manufacturing organisations and industry bodies. The collaborations also supported knowledge exchange around application development, workforce capabilities, standards, research commercialisation and international cooperation.

The event was inaugurated by:

• Shri. M.B. Patil, Cabinet Minister for Large & Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, Government of Karnataka
• Hiroshi Nawata, Consulate-General, Consulate-General of Japan in Bengaluru
• Dr. Urbasi Sinha, Senior Professor, Quantum Information and Computing Lab. Light and Matter Group, Raman Research Institute
• Dr. Lalit Kumar, President, Laser Industries Association of India
• Tanmay Pol, Chief Operating Officer, Messe Muenchen India Pvt. Ltd.
• Katja Stolle, Executive Director, Business Unit New Technologies, Messe Muenchen GmbH
• Anke Odouli, Deputy Executive Director—Business Unit New Technologies, Exhibition Director & Global Industry Lead—Laser World of Photonics worldwide, World of Photonics Congress and World of Quantum, Messe Muenchen GmbH

Dr, Lalit Kumar, President, Laser Industries Association of India (LIAI), highlighted the industry perspective, “Laser World of Photonics India has developed into an important platform for India’s laser industry. It brings technology providers, manufacturers, system integrators, researchers and users together to exchange knowledge and understand emerging industrial requirements. The discussions and collaborations initiated here can support wider adoption of laser technologies, strengthen domestic capabilities and improve the global competitiveness of Indian manufacturing.”

Exhibitors report relevant industrial enquiries

Exhibitors engaged with production leaders, technology buyers, R&D teams, system integrators, OEMs and procurement professionals seeking solutions for defined industrial and research requirements.

Mr. Joel Fernandes, Territory Manager—Marketing and Sales, INDO-MIM Limited, said, “Laser World of Photonics India gave us a focused platform to demonstrate how additive manufacturing can address complex production requirements. The quality of discussions was encouraging, with visitors bringing specific questions around materials, part development and industrial applications. It helped us connect with manufacturers who are actively evaluating advanced production technologies.”

Dr. Rakesh Agarwal, Chairman and Managing Director, Laser Technologies Limited., said, “The exhibition brought us face-to-face with customers looking for practical laser solutions across cutting, welding, marking, cleaning and precision manufacturing. Many discussions began with actual production challenges, which allowed our team to recommend the right technology and explain its application in detail. The event continues to be an important meeting point for India’s laser-processing industry.”

Tarun Mendiratta, Director—Operations & Business development, IPG Photonics (India) Pvt. Ltd., said, “Laser World of Photonics India enabled us to engage directly with researchers, engineers, system developers and industrial users from across India. Visitors came with defined requirements covering lasers, optics, imaging, measurement and photonics systems. The quality of these discussions helped us understand emerging applications and the technical support customers require as projects move from research to deployment.”

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