Do you want to know who the best ten Optical glass suppliers in Germany are? We’ve curated the top ten companies based on quality, expertise, and industry trust. Read on to discover the leaders in German glass manufacturing!
GuangZhou Lighting Glass Co.,Ltd.
Specialization:optical glass,advanced materials
Guangzhou Lighting Glass Co., Ltd. is a comprehensive enterprise specializing in the development, production and sales of optical glass products. The company is committed to the field of precision optical glass and has become the mainland partner of Corning in the United States and SCHOTT in Germany.
Key Products:
- glass wafer
- glass filters and substrates
- Precision optical components
- Custom optical solutions
- UV-grade and IR-transmitting glass
SCHOTT AG
Location: Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate
Founded: 1884
Specialization: Specialty glass and glass-ceramics, optical glass
SCHOTT AG stands as the undisputed leader in optical glass manufacturing in Germany and remains the last company in the Western Hemisphere that melts optical glass. Headquartered in Mainz and owned by the Carl Zeiss Foundation, SCHOTT has been pioneering glass technology since 1884.
Key Products:
- High-quality optical glass for precision optics
- Specialty glass filters and substrates
- Low-expansion glass ceramics
- Precision molded aspheric lenses
- UV-grade and IR-transmitting glass
SCHOTT’s optical glasses cover numerous applications and are available as blocks or strips, treated through sophisticated annealing processes to achieve precisely defined optical properties. The company’s commitment to innovation and quality has made it the preferred supplier for demanding applications in aerospace, defense, medical technology, and scientific instrumentation.
Carl Zeiss AG
Location: Oberkochen, Baden-Württemberg
Founded: 1846
Specialization: Precision optics, optical systems, and advanced materials
Carl Zeiss AG is a German powerhouse in precision lenses, excelling in both high-quality coatings and durable materials, with products trusted across professional, consumer, and medical applications. The company’s optical glass division supports its world-renowned lens manufacturing operations.
Key Products:
- High-refractive index optical glass
- Precision optical components
- Specialized glass for microscopy
- Advanced optical coatings
- Custom glass formulations
Zeiss is particularly known for ophthalmic lenses made from high refractive index glass, allowing stronger prescription lenses to be thinner. Their glass manufacturing capabilities support both internal production and external customers requiring the highest optical quality standards.
Hellma Materials GmbH
Location: Jena, Thuringia
Founded: 1922
Specialization: Precision optical materials and components
Hellma Materials serves as a key distributor and manufacturer of optical glass materials, working closely with SCHOTT to provide flexible order sizes and fast delivery options for precision optical applications. The company specializes in UV-grade materials and specialty optical glass for analytical instrumentation.
Key Products:
- UV and IR optical glass
- Precision optical windows
- Cuvettes and optical cells
- Custom glass machining services
- Specialty optical substrates
Layertec GmbH
Location: Mellingen, Thuringia
Founded: 1990
Specialization: Optical thin films and precision substrates
Layertec combines advanced substrate manufacturing with world-class optical coating capabilities. Their optical glass substrates serve as the foundation for high-performance optical components used in laser systems, scientific instruments, and industrial applications.
Key Products:
- High-quality optical substrates
- Precision optical windows
- Laser-grade optical glass
- Custom glass fabrication
- Coated optical components
Asphericon GmbH
Location: Jena, Thuringia
Founded: 2001
Specialization: Precision aspheric optics and optical glass processing
Asphericon specializes in manufacturing complex optical geometries from various glass materials. Their expertise in processing optical glass into precise aspheric shapes makes them a key player in the German optical manufacturing landscape.
Key Products:
- Aspheric lenses and components
- Precision optical glass machining
- Custom optical elements
- Freeform optical surfaces
- Prototype and production services
Laser Components GmbH
Location: Olching, Bavaria
Founded: 1982
Specialization: Optical and optoelectronic components
Laser Components manufactures and distributes optical glass components for laser and photonic applications. Their glass processing capabilities support the growing demand for precision optical components in industrial laser systems.
Key Products:
- Laser-grade optical glass
- Precision optical windows
- Beam shaping optics
- Custom glass components
- Optical filters and substrates
EKSMA Optics (German Operations)
Location: Various locations in Germany
Founded: 1983
Specialization: Precision optics and laser components
While originally founded in Lithuania, EKSMA Optics maintains significant manufacturing and distribution operations in Germany, specializing in precision optical components made from high-quality optical glass materials.
Key Products:
- Precision optical components
- Laser optics and accessories
- Custom optical solutions
- Optical glass processing
- Specialized coatings
Advanced Optics Solutions GmbH
Location: Dresden, Saxony
Founded: 2005
Specialization: Advanced optical materials and manufacturing
Advanced Optics Solutions focuses on developing and manufacturing specialty optical glass materials for emerging technologies. Their expertise in advanced glass chemistry supports next-generation optical applications.
Key Products:
- Specialty optical glass materials
- Advanced glass compositions
- Custom material development
- Precision optical components
- R&D services
Qioptiq (Part of Excelitas Technologies)
Location: Göttingen, Lower Saxony
Founded: 2005 (merged from various German optical companies)
Specialization: Precision optics and photonic solutions
Qioptiq’s German operations continue the tradition of precision optical manufacturing, combining advanced glass processing with innovative optical design to serve demanding applications in defense, space, and industrial markets.
Key Products:
- Precision optical components
- Advanced optical systems
- Custom glass solutions
- Specialized optical materials
- Photonic assemblies
Choosing the Right Optical Glass Manufacturer
When selecting an optical glass manufacturer in Germany, consider these key factors:
Technical Expertise: Evaluate the manufacturer’s experience with your specific application requirements and their ability to provide technical support throughout the project lifecycle.
Quality Standards: Ensure the manufacturer maintains appropriate certifications (ISO 9001, ISO 14001) and has robust quality control systems in place.
Manufacturing Capabilities: Assess their production capacity, lead times, and ability to handle both prototype and volume production requirements.
Material Selection: Consider the range of glass types available and the manufacturer’s ability to recommend optimal materials for your specific application.
Custom Solutions: Evaluate their capabilities for custom glass formulations, specialized processing, and value-added services such as coating and assembly.
Conclusion
With so many optical glass manufacturers out there, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. After all, top names like SCHOTT and others all have strong reputations and advanced capabilities.
But if you’re looking for custom optical glass solutions that combine precision, flexibility, and competitive pricing, Guangzhou Lighting Glass CO.,LTD is a name you shouldn’t overlook.
Whether you need ultra-thin substrates, UV-grade quartz glass, or precision CNC machining for optics, Guangzhou Lighting provides engineered glass solutions tailored to your exact application.
- Batch supply of aluminosilicate, borosilicate, alkali-free glass
- Precision glass machining down to 0.1mm thickness and 0.5mm overall size
- CNC shaping, waterjet cutting, polishing, ultrasonic cleaning, and more
From glass wafers for MEMS and CMOS packaging to custom substrates for optical filters, we’re here to deliver high-quality, custom-engineered glass — reliably and affordably.
Let’s build your next innovation in glass. Contact us today.From lab-grade optical windows to advanced coatings for UV or IR systems, we’re ready to support your next optical project — affordably and reliably.
Let’s create better optics together. Contact Shenxun today and tell us what you need.