New laser factory opens in Lithuania with ambition to become one of world's largest

A new laser factory, Litilit, has opened in Vilnius, with its founders aiming to make it one of the largest in the world.

“The factory being established in Lithuania will be one of the world's largest in terms of femtosecond laser production capacity and will serve as a model that we plan to replicate in other regions in the future, together with international partners,” said the company's chief executive, Nikolajus Gavrilias.​

The factory aims to produce up to 1,000 lasers a year in its first year of operation, with capacity set to increase to 3,000 within a few years, he said.​

The factory on Plungės Street, near Gariūnai in Vilnius, covers about 4,000 sq m. It will house a metalworking workshop and automated laser assembly and testing facilities.

“Lithuania has more than 40 years of experience in developing ultrashort-pulse lasers. We undoubtedly have one of the world's strongest photonics communities. By this measure, we are as much as 100 times ahead of any other country in the world,” Gavrilias said.

Economy and Innovation Minister Edvinas Grikšas said Lithuania had all the necessary conditions to become not only a developer of advanced technologies but also a global manufacturer.

“The opening of Litilit's new factory is an excellent example of how Lithuanian science, engineering expertise and business ambition are being turned into products for the global market. The €6m investment and planned capacity of up to 3,000 lasers a year show that Lithuania's laser industry has significant growth potential,” he said.

“Our goal is to create the conditions for companies like this to expand in Lithuania, create high-value jobs and strengthen the country's position as a global technology leader,” Grikšas added.

Gintarė Verbickaitė, head of the largest startup organisation in the country, Unicorns Lithuania, who attended the factory's opening, said: “This is a truly exciting moment. We sincerely hope that Litilit will become Lithuania's first high-tech unicorn and inspire a new generation of high-tech innovators.”

In April, Lithuania's national development bank ILTE lent €8m to support the development of laser technology by the start-up Litilit. The technology uses next-generation femtosecond laser systems that generate ultrashort pulses.

Litilit's chief executive previously told the BNS news agency that the funds were intended for a research and development (R&D) project.

The laser technology sector is one of Lithuania's strongest industrial sectors. It has grown from fundamental research, which began more than 50 years ago, into a self-sustaining ecosystem.

According to the Lithuanian Laser Association, more than 60 companies currently operate in the sector, employing at least 2,250 specialists. Together, they generate annual revenue of €345m.