World-renowned laser experts have arrived in Vilnius: the spotlight is on Lithuanian technology

Lithuanian-developed laser technologies have been on the global market for decades. This week, the tide has turned – global experts in lasers and optics have gathered in Vilnius. The ‘Optica Laser Congress and Exhibition 2026’, taking place for the first time this week, offers a chance to showcase up close what has earned Lithuania its reputation in this field: from scientific ideas to manufacturing.

“This is an exceptional event for Lithuania’s high-tech sector and an important sign of international recognition. We can demonstrate the expertise we have built up to the professional community gathered in Vilnius. It is an opportunity to present Lithuania as a country where technologies important to global industry are developed and manufactured,” says Antanas Laurutis, CEO of the laser optics company Altechna.

Scientists, engineers and industry representatives specialising in lasers, optics and photonics from various countries have gathered in the capital.

The congress, organised by the international organisation ‘Optica’, is a key platform for the global laser and photonics community to meet, where the latest research, technological achievements, and practical solutions shaping the future of the laser industry are presented. ‘Altechna’ is one of the congress’s sponsors.

Where is technology heading?

According to A. Laurutis, the congress programme offers insight into the challenges currently facing the laser industry and the technologies needed in the future. Key topics include advanced laser systems, ultra-high-intensity lasers, extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation, optical components and their industrial applications.

Particular attention is being paid to technologies important for semiconductor manufacturing, medicine, the space industry, defence, and other high-tech sectors, according to A. Laurutis, behind these technical terms lie business-relevant questions: what new opportunities these solutions will offer for manufacturing, where they can be applied, and what skills will be required.

“Scientists need to understand the challenges facing industry, and for business to understand the opportunities opened up by the latest research. These perspectives come together at the congress. This helps us to assess better which technological directions will be important in the future and what needs we must prepare for right now,” says A. Laurutis.

In his view, the expert discussions and technology exhibition, which complement the scientific presentations, help to explore the prospects for solutions beyond the confines of the laboratory. For Lithuanian companies, this is an opportunity to understand future market needs better and their place in a changing industry.

Six decades of experience

The congress in Vilnius coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Lithuanian laser sector, according to A. Laurutis, a strong scientific and business community has formed in the country over this period, and the knowledge and engineering expertise accumulated within this ecosystem have helped the sector establish itself in international markets.

A. Laurutis states that the opportunity to host an event of this scale reflects Lithuania’s scientific potential and the competitive laser and photonics industry that has grown over several decades. Attending specialists can see the entire technological journey: from the scientific idea and engineering solution through to production.

Discussions turn to manufacturing.

Visits to Lithuanian laser and optics companies form a separate part of the congress programme, allowing participants to gain first-hand insight into the manufacturing capabilities of the country’s firms and to understand better the technological challenges they can undertake.

‘Altechna’, led by A. Laurutis and celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, is participating in the congress as a partner and welcomed some of the participants to its offices and production facilities.

Congress participants visiting Altechna were introduced to the manufacturing processes for precision optical components, optical coatings, and photonic system components; the technologies used; and quality assurance principles.

The guests exchanged experiences with the company’s engineers and specialists, and discussed technological development and opportunities for collaboration.

An opportunity for everyone

In the high-tech sector, product presentation is only part of the conversation, A. Laurutis notes. Potential partners need to understand the engineering expertise behind the product, how production is organised, and how quality is ensured.

According to him, the opportunity to get a close-up look at the technological processes and the team managing them helps to build the trust necessary for long-term relationships with clients.

“Our products are used in various high-tech sectors, and we see our future growth linked to international markets and long-term relationships with clients in the global laser and photonics industry. We value every opportunity to forge connections, and the congress currently taking place in Vilnius is an excellent opportunity for all representatives of the Lithuanian high-tech sector,” says A. Laurutis.