Jenoptik invests in expanded optics manufacturing in Jena, Germany

On the expanded production areas, Jenoptik will manufacture sophisticated, high-quality optical components that are mainly used in the semiconductor equipment industry. Once preliminary planning will have been completed by the end of 2025 and the subsequent approvals and contracts been granted, the renovation of the currently vacant hall is scheduled to begin in summer 2026. Production in the new manufacturing environment is scheduled to start in the second half of 2027.

Jenoptik President & CEO Dr. Stefan Traeger and Colette Boos-John, Thuringia’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Rural Areas, announced the planned investment on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, in Jena, Germany.

The comprehensive renovation is planned in two stages. First, an area of around 2,000 sqm will be modularly expanded and modernized, also with regard to energy efficiency, to accommodate the additional production capacity. An additional expansion in line with demand is possible depending on medium-term growth, particularly with customers in the semiconductor equipment industry, and taking into account the requirements for the global alignment of manufacturing capacities.

In addition to investing a low double-digit million euro sum in the expansion of space, investments in state-of-the-art machinery and infrastructure are planned.

In the future, the hall will offer state-of-the-art space for the production of high-end optics, which are an essential component of high-performance photonic modules and systems. In addition to growth, the investment will also enable an even stronger focus on modern value stream concepts. This will optimize material flows in optics component manufacturing, make processes more efficient and transparent—while maintaining the highest quality standards.

Jenoptik had opened a new high-tech factory in “Silicon Saxony” in Dresden in spring 2025 where micro-optics and sensors for the semiconductor equipment industry are being produced.

“With this investment in one of our core businesses, we are responding to the increasing demands of our customers in the growth area of semiconductor technology,” said Jenoptik President & CEO Dr. Stefan Traeger. “Furthermore, the investment is a commitment to our main location in Jena, where we are part of a unique ecosystem in the photonics industry in which business, research institutes, and universities collaborate and important structures for suppliers, training, and qualified specialists are available.”

“The optics industry remains a growth sector for Thuringia,” said Minister of Economic Affairs Boos-John. “In view of the current economic sideways movement in Germany, it is a strong signal that Jenoptik is now also investing at its Thuringian headquarters. This demonstrates fundamental confidence in the location, which we must justify at the federal and state level by further improving the economic framework conditions.” The state will continue to closely monitor and support the positive development of one of its “flagship companies,” said the minister.

Images are available in Jenoptik’s image database at media.jenoptik.com.

Image, from left: Jenoptik CEO Dr. Stefan Traeger with Thuringia's Minister of Economic Affairs Colette Boos-John and Jenoptik Executive Board member Dr. Ralf Kuschnereit, who is responsible for Jenoptik's Semiconductor & Advanced Manufacturing business.

About Jenoptik

Jenoptik is a global technology group operating in the photonics market. Our growth areas primarily include semiconductor technology, medical technology, metrology as well as smart mobility. Approximately 4,600 people worldwide work for the Jenoptik Group, which is headquartered in Jena (Germany). JENOPTIK AG is listed on the German Stock Exchange in Frankfurt and traded on the SDax and TecDax. In fiscal year 2024, Jenoptik generated revenue of around 1.12 billion euros.