• Photonics & Optical Technologies
  Optical fibers, laser systems, fiber-based sensors, precision optics and photonics components.

• Smart Materials & Functional Materials
  Nanomaterials, thin films, coatings, composites, advanced polymers and materials for sensing or energy applications.

• Advanced Engineering & Electronics
  High-precision engineering, electronics manufacturing, 5G routers, semiconductor-related components, and IoT devices.

• Micro- & Nanotechnologies
  Microfabrication, nanofabrication, clean-room processing, silicon crystal production and emerging microchip design capabilities.

• Energy & Environmental Technologies
  Materials and devices for energy efficiency, energy storage, renewable technologies and environmentally friendly manufacturing.

• Biomedical & Bio-photonic Applications
  Optical and material technologies for medical imaging, diagnostics, life-science research and healthcare devices.

• Latvia is among the global leaders in optical fiber product manufacturing.

• The sector benefits from strong research capacity, including cleanrooms, nanofabrication labs and advanced materials-science infrastructure.

• Export volumes for smart materials and photonics have grown steadily in recent years, reflecting increasing global demand.

• Collaboration between industry and Riga Technical University (RTU) supports microchip supply chain research and emerging design capabilities.

• Several Latvian companies produce high-quality silicon crystals, contributing to the foundation of future semiconductor-related value chains.

• Latvia’s engineering and electronics ecosystem includes in-house manufacturing of 5G routers and advanced electronic components.

• The sector is supported by national smart specialisation priorities and active public investment in high-tech R&D

• The photonics and optics industry in Latvia employs around 3,700 specialists, reflecting steady workforce growth over the past decade.

• Sector turnover has expanded significantly, reaching approximately €450 million, up from €142 million in 2014.

• More than 3,600 companies operate across the broader smart materials, photonics and engineering ecosystem.

• The wider sector provides employment for around 37,000 people, making it one of Latvia’s major high-tech industrial clusters.

• Latvia is recognised as a global player in optical fiber manufacturing, with exports reaching markets worldwide.

• Companies in the sector show increasing profitability, with sampled firms reporting over €40 million in combined profits.

• Recent high-value investments — including a €120 million Baltic Photonics project — indicate growing international confidence and expanding industrial capacity.

• The sector benefits from strong national R&D infrastructure, including cleanrooms, nanofabrication labs and advanced materials-science facilities.

• Latvia’s photonics, smart materials and engineering ecosystem employs around 37,000 people across research, engineering, precision manufacturing and high-tech production.

• The core photonics and optics segment employs approximately 3,700 specialists, reflecting steady long-term growth.

• Workforce skills span materials science, physics, photonics, nanotechnology, chemistry, engineering and electronics, supported by strong academic programmes.

• Leading education and research institutions include:

  • Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL) – national centre for materials science, nanofabrication, photonics and engineering.

  • Riga Technical University (RTU) – major provider of engineering, electronics, materials science and microtechnology programmes.

  • University of Latvia (UL) – physics, chemistry, optics, photonics and advanced materials specialisations.

• Students and researchers have access to state-of-the-art cleanrooms, nanolabs, prototyping facilities and optical technology centres, supporting practical training and innovation.

• Close industry–academia collaboration ensures alignment between education and labour market needs, supporting microchip design, optical fibre technologies and advanced engineering competencies.

• The sector is supported by national smart specialisation priorities (RIS3), ensuring long-term talent development, innovation funding and training programmes.

• D Alfa Microelectronics
  Develops and manufactures high-reliability, radiation-hardened microelectronics for aerospace and defence applications. A trusted partner of the European Space Agency.

• HansaMatrix
  A leading electronic systems manufacturer delivering high-precision engineering for global brands such as Facebook, Apple, Volkswagen and Boeing.

• LightSpace Technologies
  A global pioneer in real-time multi-plane volumetric 3D display technologies, used in medical imaging, training, simulation and next-generation AR/VR.

• EuroLCDs
  Producer of the world’s fastest optical shutter technology and advanced smectic liquid crystal smart glass solutions.

• Groglass
  One of the world’s leading developers of anti-reflective and specialty coatings. Its Artglass products protect masterpieces in top museums, including the Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam) and the Forbidden City Museum (Beijing).

• Fiber Optical Solution (FOS)
  Specialises in developing optical-fiber gyroscopes. FOS supplies high-precision systems to organisations such as NASA, Applanix, and Lockheed Martin.

• LightGuide Optics
  A global leader in fiber optic products for laser medicine and industrial applications. The company produces more than half of the world’s urology laser fibre instruments.

• CeramOptec
  Develops customised fiber-optic solutions and serves as a key medical OEM supplier for laser systems and optical applications.

• Sidrabe
  With more than 50 years of expertise in thin-film technologies, Sidrabe is a trusted partner for advanced coating equipment, including collaborations with NASA.

• Baltic Scientific Instruments (BSI)
  Specialises in spectrometric devices based on semiconductor and scintillation radiation detectors. BSI equipment is used in nuclear energy, environmental monitoring, geophysics, mining, medicine, space research, and security systems.

 Engineering and metalworking have long been among Latvia’s core industrial strengths. Today, the sector has evolved into a highly competitive, innovative and productive industry, supported by a skilled and cost-efficient workforce, strong R&D capabilities and a strategically advantageous geographical location. To get further information on Engineering and metalworking sector in Latvia click here.