IREPA LASER accelerates the development of laser machining for large parts
A strategic R&D investment to broaden industrial applications
Published in Le Journal des Entreprises in October 2025, this article highlights IREPA LASER's strategy to open up new markets for laser ablation technology. Based in Illkirch-Graffenstaden, the Technology Resource Centre is stepping up its investment in research and development to enable the processing of large parts with ultra-short pulse lasers.
Invented and developed by IREPA LASER, laser machining makes it possible to machine, drill and cut all types of materials by removing material layer by layer with micrometric precision. Used today notably in luxury jewellery, watchmaking, ophthalmology and smartphone screen manufacturing, this technology has strong potential for deployment in new industrial sectors.
Towards aeronautics, space, marine and energy
The challenge for IREPA LASER is now to make this technology accessible to fields requiring the processing of larger parts, such as aeronautics, aerospace, marine or energy. The functional properties obtained by laser machining – hydrophobic surfaces, control of friction, adhesion or wettability – represent major assets for these industries.
As Frédéric Mermet, head of micro-applications activities at IREPA LASER, explains, the industrialisation of laser machining based on ultra-short pulse lasers has been evolving rapidly since the 2010s and continues to reach new technological milestones.
A 10 m³ laser environment by 2026
To remove the current constraint on the size of parts that can be machined, IREPA LASER devotes almost 25% of its turnover to R&D, 40% of which is dedicated to laser machining. Supported by an investment grant under the Strasbourg Eurométropole three-year contract (State, Grand Est Region, CEA, Eurométropole, City of Strasbourg), the project aims to create a 10 m³ laser environment by the end of 2026.
This equipment will pave the way for the processing of large components and the emergence of new industrial models around this high-precision micromachining technology, thereby strengthening IREPA LASER's position as a leading player in laser machining in Europe.
>> Read the full article in Le Journal des Entreprises (October 2025)
