The second phase of work on the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (FhCAP) (www.cap.fraunhofer.co.uk) is being supported through £5 million of funding from the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise.

The non-profit research centre specialises in photonics (laser technology), and FhCAP is the innovation catalyst at the core of Scotland’s £740 million a year photonics community.

The centre works in partnership with businesses and harnesses some of the best scientific minds to solve industrial challenges and drive innovation in areas such as renewable energy, security, defence and health-care.

Scottish companies benefit from working with FhCAP to develop new products for international markets, thereby helping to boost Scottish exports, and the centre attracts inward investment due to its reputation for innovation excellence.

Paul Wheelhouse, the Scottish government’s innovation minister, visited FhCAP (at Strathclyde’s Technology and Innovation Centre) last month to announce the funding.

He said: “Photonics is a key enabling technology, and Scotland punches above its weight with a thriving globally competitive sector, with the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics at its heart.

“Its range of expertise and services is unique in the UK, and Glasgow was chosen by the internationally respected Fraunhofer Institute as the location to build on the considerable Scottish strengths in advanced photonics.

“This investment will allow FhCAP and Scotland’s thriving photonics industry to continue to grow. It is evidence of the Scottish government’s strong commitment to supporting our science and research communities — and our research linkages within Europe.”

Simon Andrews, executive director of Fraunhofer UK Research, said: “This most welcome and continued investment confirms that our work has proven hugely successful.

“The backing of the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise is a crucial part of the model and allows our not-for-profit organisation to focus on its role — innovation for industry.”