Interview with Carlos Lee,
INTERVIEW
Interview with Carlos Lee,
Director General of EPIC, European Photonics Industry Consortium
https:// doi. org / 10.1051 / photon / 202513118
What was your professional background before joining EPIC? I have worked for 16 years at SEMI, the global association representing semiconductor equipment and material suppliers. SEMI has been around for more than 50 years, that was my first job and where I gained significant experience in the sector working on standardization, advocacy, lobbying, and technology and executive-level events.
When did you join EPIC? After 16 years at SEMI, I joined EPIC 13 years ago. My departure from SEMI was not due to dissatisfaction but rather an opportunity to bring the experience I had gained in a mature and well-structured industry into an emerging one. Technologically, there is significant overlap between semiconductors and photonics. If you look at a pure semiconductor chip, you need photonics to make it work. However, the key difference is that the semiconductor industry is highly consolidated, well-organized, and supported by market statistics, technology roadmaps, and industry standards— something that the photonics industry lacks. My ambition was to transfer best practices from one industry to another and contribute to the growth of photonics.
What have you learned from your experience at SEMI? During my 16 years at SEMI, I gained valuable insights into what drives industrial success. One key takeaway is the role of industry in shaping a thriving ecosystem. While universities and research institutions are crucial for innovation, they do not necessarily translate into industrial success on their own. I have seen that having strong academic research does not automatically lead to the creation of a sustainable industry. A compelling example is the semiconductor ecosystem in Dresden. When AMD, the chip manufacturer, established a factory there in 1996, it required suppliers for equipment, materials, gases, and wafers. This led to the development of a full industrial ecosystem around it. Once such an ecosystem exists, it makes sense to have universities, training programs, and internships to support it. In other words, a strong industry attracts talents, research, and further innovation. This is why I strongly believe that industry is the true driver of technological progress. Academia is essential, but for a sector to thrive, it needs a solid industrial foundation. This perspective has shaped my approach at EPIC, where we focus on strengthening the industrial landscape for photonics.
What motivated your transition from semiconductors to photonics? My main motivation was the frustration of seeing strategic industries disappear from Europe. The photovoltaic industry is a prime example. At one point, Germany led in solar photovoltaic energy, with most of the machines coming from German manufacturers. Europe had leading research institutions, and the market was thriving. Yet, within just a few years, the photovoltaic industry in Europe collapsed between 2010- 2015. Today, there are no major solar manufacturers left in Europe. The same happened with the lighting industry— Philips was once a dominant player, but it no longer holds a leading position at a global level. To be provocative, I would even argue that Europe is not a major player in the semiconductor industry. The only reason I believe that Europe is mentioned in global discussions is because of ASML. Without it, I am not sure Europe would be considered a dominant player in semiconductors at a global level. We lost these industries not solely because of competition under fair market rules, but due to other factors. If we do not learn from these past experiences, the same could happen to photonics. That is why I joined EPIC: to help safeguard the European photonics industry before it reaches the same level of importance as those other sectors and risks being lost.
What are the challenges in building a strong photonics industry in Europe? Both semiconductors and photonics are key enabling pervasive technologies. If the photonics industry continues to grow as we ambition, I am concerned of Europe losing competitiveness in this market unless we take proactive measures. Governments have not effectively protected previous industries in my view. They did not prevent the decline of photovoltaic or lighting, and they are too slow to react and anticipate. Additionally,
If we do not learn from these past experiences, the same could happen to photonics. That is why I joined EPIC: to help safeguard the European photonics industry before it reaches the same level of importance as those other sectors and risks being lost.
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