EPIC is an association now numbering 40 members, that brings together equipment suppliers, components manufacturers and users of photonics components with the joint aim of building a more competitive photonics industrial sector in Europe.

In addition to CDT, other board members of the Consortium currently comprise: AIXTRON AG, OSRAM Opto-Semiconductors GmbH, Philips Lighting BV and SAGEM, SA. Membership is also open to research organisations, universities and financial institutions with operations in Europe.

EPIC’s agenda has several important actions: maintaining a dialogue with the European Commission; acting as a single voice to represent the photonics industry within Europe and helping to standardise the processes and equipment used; and developing a training programme for scientists, the Advanced Components Co-operation for Optoelectronic Research and Development (ACCORD).

The training initiative will also meet the needs of European photonics companies in terms of areas of expertise and skills.

Jeremy Burroughes, CTO of CDT, said: “EPIC is an important initiative in our sector and we are delighted to be part of it. There are some very important industry issues on the agenda and, by having a collective voice, we are confident of making a very positive impact in these areas”.

For membership details, please contact EPIC, Espace Hamelin, 17 rue Hamelin, 75016 Paris or email info@epic-assoc.com