World’s Optical Lenses

World wide optical-lens demand totals about 800 million to 900 million lenses annually, growing by 5-10 per cent per annum .

Global Optical Lens Manufacturing
Thailand is the world’s largest manufacturing hub for optical lenses with an annual capacity of more than 200 million lenses.
Country	Global share
Thailand	22.0%
Europe	18.2%
Mexico	9.4%
Philippines/Australia	8.2%
China	8.1%
USA/Canada	7.8%
South America	7.3%
Indonesia	6.8%
Japan/South Korea	5.9%
Malaysia/Singapore/Taiwan	5.2%
India	1.1%

Optical lens factories in Thailand
Hoya Lens	(Japan)
Essilor Manufacturing	(France)
Thai Optical Group	(Thailand)
Rodenstock	(Germany)
Solarlens	(Italy)
Indo	(Spain)
Transitions	(USA)

Source: Thai Optical Group, PPG Industries

Thailand is the world's largest manufacturer of optical lenses, accounting for 22 per cent of global output, even though manufacturers have to import all their raw materials.

According to the database of worldwide coatings and optical products manufacturer PPG Industries, the world's demand for optical lenses totals 800 to 900 million lenses per year. Of these, more than 200 million are produced in Thailand.

The second-largest manufacturing base for optical lenses is Europe, which contributes 18.2 per cent, followed by Mexico with 9.4 per cent and China, 8.1 per cent (see graphic).

Thai Optical Group chairman Sawang Pracharktam said the country had become the world's largest manufacturing base partly due to historical reasons. Japanese manufacturer Hoya set up a factory here some years ago, after which many others followed. TOG opened its major facility at Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi, in 1991, followed by French company Essilor in 1995, then Rodenstock from Germany, Italy's Solarlens, Spain's Indo and Transitions, from the United States.

"The amount of raw material ordered by Thailand has increased as a consequence. This creates a comparative advantage because lens materials have to be imported in refrigerated containers. Larger orders mean lower costs," he said.

The Thai market is too small to sustain every manufacturer. TOG, which supplies one-third of the local market, still relies on exports for 95 per cent of its revenue.

TOG has an annual capacity of 27 million lenses.