Bright prospects for growth: UK opportunities for laser manufacturing

This whitepaper highlights the critical role of laser processing in enabling high-speed, precise, and energy-efficient manufacturing across sectors. Despite its potential, widespread adoption in the UK faces several challenges — including slow industrial uptake, limited awareness, and underinvestment in infrastructure and skills. While the UK excels in laser research, global competitors like Germany, China, and the USA have been more effective in translating innovation into industrial impact.

To address these barriers, the report outlines 12 strategic actions aimed at accelerating adoption. These include improving collaboration between academia and industry, expanding training and workforce development, and increasing support for pilot projects and digital integration. By implementing these solutions, the UK can embed laser processing across its supply chains, boost productivity, and unlock over £170 billion in economic value by 2035.