Industrial laser systems market remains steady in 2015 in U.S.

Global sales of laser systems for materials processing increased by 10 percent in 2015 compared to the previous year measured in local currencies, according to the annual market survey conducted by Optech Consulting, Taegerwilen, Switzerland. However, in U.S. dollars, the increase was wiped out completely, and the market volume came in at $10.8 billion, level with 2014.

Market growth rates in local currencies of 10 percent or more were recorded for Europe, North America, Japan, and Korea. Sales in China increased by nearly 5 percent, with weakening demand toward the end of the year. Because of the shift of currency exchange rates, China surpassed Europe as the world's largest consumer of industrial laser systems for the first time in history, in spite of the comparably low growth rate for the Chinese market.

High-power laser systems for cutting, welding, and surface treatment account for a 45 percent share of the market. Laser systems for microelectronics processing make up 20 percent. The balance of the market is low- and medium-power laser material processing systems, such as for cutting, welding, marking, additive manufacturing, cleaning, engraving, and soldering.

For 2016 Optech Consulting expects a sideward trending demand for laser materials processing systems worldwide. The expectation follows sales and order booking for industrial lasers and laser systems, as well as for machine tools and electronic manufacturing equipment.