The Global K9 Optical Glass Market was valued at US$ 244 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach US$ 390 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.7% during the forecast period (2024–2034). This robust growth is driven by escalating demand from consumer electronics, advancements in automotive sensors, and the expanding applications of high-precision optical instruments. In 2025, global production reached 19,796 tons, with the market operating at a healthy gross profit margin of approximately 30.36%.

As industries from smartphones to autonomous vehicles increasingly rely on superior optical performance, the spotlight turns to the material scientists and manufacturers enabling this clarity. K9 optical glass, a zirconium-free tempered sodium-calcium-aluminum silicate, is crucial for lenses, prisms, and imaging systems. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the K9 Optical Glass Industry—a group of established giants and specialized innovators shaping the future of optics.

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🔟 1. HOYA CORPORATION

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: High-precision K9 optical glass blanks, molded lenses, and custom optical components

HOYA Corporation is a global leader in advanced optics and electronics, with a long-standing reputation for manufacturing high-quality optical glass. Their K9 offerings are renowned for exceptional homogeneity, low bubble content, and superior thermal stability, serving high-end applications in semiconductors, medical imaging, and professional photography.

Innovation and Market Leadership:

• Pioneering low-internal-stress molding technologies

• Significant investment in R&D for next-generation optical materials

• Strategic focus on the high-growth medical and IT imaging sectors

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9️⃣ 2. SCHOTT AG

Headquarters: Mainz, Germany
Key Offering: K9 glass substrates, precision optics, and specialty glass solutions

SCHOTT AG is a German technology giant with over 130 years of experience in specialty glass. Its optical glass division produces K9 materials that meet the most stringent standards for clarity and durability, supplying industries ranging from aerospace and defense to life sciences and consumer electronics.

Innovation and Market Leadership:

• Advanced melting and fining processes for ultra-high purity

• Global production network ensuring robust supply chain resilience

• Strong commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices

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8️⃣ 3. OHARA Corporation

Headquarters: Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
Key Offering: K9 optical glass, low-dispersion crowns, and specialty optical materials

OHARA Corporation specializes in the development and production of optical glass with a strong emphasis on precision and innovation. The company’s K9 glass is highly valued for its consistent refractive index and excellent optical performance in demanding environments, making it a preferred choice for precision instrumentation.

Innovation and Market Leadership:

• Leading expertise in precision glass casting and polishing

• Extensive portfolio catering to both standard and custom specifications

• Focus on high-value applications in photolithography and metrology

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7️⃣ 4. AGC Inc.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: K9 glass sheets, precision molded optics, and display glass components

AGC (formerly Asahi Glass Co.) is a multinational glass manufacturing leader. Its electronics and optical materials segment produces high-quality K9 glass used in smartphone camera modules, AR/VR devices, and automotive sensors, leveraging its vast expertise in glass science and mass production.

Innovation and Market Leadership:

• Integration of optics with electronics for smart device applications

• Large-scale production capabilities offering competitive pricing

• Continuous development of thinner, stronger optical glass formulations

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6️⃣ 5. Nikon Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: K9 glass for lithography systems, precision lenses, and scientific instruments

While renowned for its cameras, Nikon is also a powerhouse in precision optics manufacturing. The company produces its own high-grade K9 optical glass for use in its flagship products, including semiconductor steppers and precision measuring instruments, where extreme accuracy is non-negotiable.

Innovation and Market Leadership:

• Vertically integrated manufacturing from raw glass to finished optical systems

• Unparalleled expertise in optical design and material science

• K9 glass optimized for low aberration and high transmission in complex lens assemblies

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5️⃣ 6. CDGM Glass Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Key Offering: K9 optical glass blanks, pressed lenses, and large-size optics

CDGM is one of China’s largest and most prominent manufacturers of optical glass, producing a wide array of materials including the widely used K9. The company plays a critical role in the global supply chain, offering cost-effective solutions without compromising on optical performance for mid-range applications.

Innovation and Market Leadership:

• Mass production capabilities serving a global customer base

• Strong focus on cost optimization and supply chain efficiency

• Expanding product range to include more advanced optical ceramics

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4️⃣ 7. Sumita Optical Glass, Inc.

Headquarters: Saitama, Japan
Key Offering: High-purity K9 glass, specialty optical glasses, and custom melts

Sumita Optical Glass is a specialist manufacturer known for its high-purity and custom optical glass formulations. Its K9 product is characterized by excellent chemical stability and low dispersion, making it suitable for high-precision optical systems in research and industrial settings.

Innovation and Market Leadership:

• Specialization in small-batch, high-purity custom glass melts

• Reputation for superior technical support and customer collaboration

• Focus on niche markets requiring exceptional material properties

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3️⃣ 8. Edmund Optics

Headquarters: Barrington, New Jersey, USA
Key Offering: K9 optical components, stock lenses, prisms, and windows

Edmund Optics is a leading global supplier of optics, imaging, and photonics technology. While not a primary glass manufacturer, the company is a critical distributor and fabricator of K9 optical components, providing off-the-shelf and custom solutions to engineers and researchers worldwide.

Innovation and Market Leadership:

• Extensive inventory of standard K9 components for rapid prototyping

• Strong global distribution network and technical support ecosystem

• Value-added services including coating, dicing, and polishing

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2️⃣ 9. Crystran Ltd.

Headquarters: Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Precision-fabricated K9 optics, UV to IR materials, and crystal components

Crystran Ltd. is a UK-based specialist in manufacturing optical materials and components. The company precision-fabricates K9 glass into lenses, windows, and prisms for use in demanding applications such as laser systems, spectroscopy, and defense, emphasizing quality and precision.

Innovation and Market Leadership:

• Expertise in precision grinding and polishing to tight tolerances

• Specialization in custom shapes and sizes for R&D and OEM applications

• Focus on high-value, low-volume markets with stringent quality requirements

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1️⃣ 10. Changchun UP Optotech Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Changchun, Jilin, China
Key Offering: K9 optical glass, infrared materials, and complete optical assemblies

Changchun UP Optotech is a significant Chinese player in the optical materials market. The company produces and processes K9 glass for a broad spectrum of applications, from educational kits to sophisticated industrial and military optics, leveraging China’s strong manufacturing base.

Innovation and Market Leadership:

• Competitive pricing strategy for volume-sensitive markets

• Growing capabilities in optical system assembly and integration

• Increasing investment in automation to improve consistency and yield

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🔬 Outlook: The Future of K9 Optical Glass Is Smarter and More Integrated

The K9 optical glass market is evolving beyond its traditional role. While it remains a workhorse material for conventional optics, its future is being shaped by integration into miniaturized electro-optical systems, advancements in precision molding, and the relentless demand for higher performance in consumer and industrial technologies.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Increasing demand for K9 glass in smartphone multi-camera systems and automotive LiDAR sensors

• Advancements in precision glass molding (PGM) reducing finishing costs and enabling complex shapes

• Growing emphasis on supply chain resilience and regional manufacturing hubs

• R&D focus on enhancing the chemical durability and laser-induced damage threshold of K9 glass

Get Full Report Here:
K9 Optical Glass Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying a critical material—they are enabling the clear vision behind the technological advancements that define our modern world.