SUSS MICROOPTICS SA

Their core work

SUSS MicroOptics is a Swiss manufacturer specializing in micro-optical components, particularly wafer-level micro-optics fabricated using UV imprint and lithography techniques. They provide design, prototyping, and volume production of micro-lenses and free-form optical elements for photonic integrated circuits, sensors, medical devices, and communications systems. Their core value lies in bridging the gap between optical design and scalable manufacturing — taking micro-optics from lab prototypes to pilot-line and industrial-scale production.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Early H2020 involvement (2016–2018) centered on photon management fundamentals and establishing photonic packaging infrastructure — with NOLOSS exploring optical design for manufacture and PIXAPP building assembly/packaging pilot lines across sensors, medical, and communications applications. From 2020 onward, the focus shifted decisively toward advanced manufacturing techniques: free-form micro-optics, UV-NIL lithography, roll-to-roll replication, and wafer-level integration with standardized process design kits. The trajectory shows a clear move from participating in broad photonics ecosystem projects to deep specialization in scalable micro-optics production methods.

SUSS MicroOptics is investing heavily in pilot-line-ready manufacturing for free-form micro-optics and wafer-level photonic packaging — expect them to become a go-to production partner for anyone needing micro-optical components at scale.

How they like to work

Always a participant, never a coordinator — SUSS MicroOptics joins consortia as a specialized manufacturing partner contributing production expertise rather than leading project direction. With 53 unique partners across 12 countries in just 4 projects, they operate in large, diverse consortia typical of pilot-line and infrastructure projects. This pattern suggests they are a trusted industrial contributor that research-heavy consortia bring in when they need a credible path from lab optics to volume production.

Despite only 4 projects, SUSS MicroOptics has built a broad European network of 53 partners across 12 countries — a direct result of participating in large-scale pilot-line initiatives that unite photonics research organizations, foundries, and end-users across the continent.

What sets them apart

SUSS MicroOptics occupies a rare position as a private company that can take micro-optical designs and manufacture them at wafer scale using advanced replication techniques like UV-NIL lithography. While many photonics companies focus on either design or assembly, SUSS covers the full path from optical design through pilot-line production — making them especially valuable for projects that need to demonstrate manufacturing readiness. Their Swiss base and non-SME status suggest an established industrial operation with the capacity and reliability that large EU consortia require.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PHABULOUS
  Largest funding (EUR 812K) — a dedicated pilot line for free-form micro-optics manufacturing using UV-NIL, wafer-scale, and roll-to-roll techniques, representing their core business at its most ambitious.
• PhotonicLEAP
  Addresses wafer-level photonic integration packaging and test with open-access pilot lines and standardized process design kits — positioning SUSS as part of the emerging European photonics manufacturing infrastructure.
• PIXAPP
  One of Europe's first photonic integrated circuit assembly and packaging pilot lines, giving SUSS early entry into the PIC packaging ecosystem across sensors, medical, communications, and security applications.