The Global Infrared Optical Glass Market was valued at USD 310 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 542 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.9% during the forecast period (2024–2034). This robust growth is primarily propelled by escalating demand from the military and defense sector for advanced thermal imaging systems, the expansion of industrial thermography for predictive maintenance, and the increasing integration of infrared technology in automotive safety and security systems.

As global industries increasingly rely on the ability to see and sense beyond the visible spectrum, the role of specialized materials becomes paramount. Infrared optical glass, with its unique ability to transmit thermal radiation, is the cornerstone of modern thermal imaging, night vision, and spectroscopic analysis. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Infrared Optical Glass Industry—a dynamic mix of century-old glass science pioneers and innovative specialists who are shaping the clarity and capabilities of our technological future.

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🔟 1. Schott AG

Headquarters: Mainz, Germany
Key Offering: IRG Glasses (e.g., IRG 2, IRG 3, IRG 7, IRG 9, IRG 11, IRG 15, IRG 18, IRG 22, IRG 24, IRG 25, IRG 26), Chalcogenide Glasses

Schott AG is a global leader in specialty glass and glass-ceramics, with a formidable presence in the infrared optical glass market. The company’s extensive portfolio includes a wide range of infrared-transmitting glasses tailored for specific wavelengths and applications, from near-infrared (NIR) to long-wave infrared (LWIR). Their materials are critical components in military sights, thermal imaging cameras, and scientific instruments.

Innovation and R&D Focus:

• Pioneering arsenic- and lead-free chalcogenide glass compositions for enhanced environmental safety.

• Continuous development of glasses with high transmittance and excellent thermal stability.

• Strong focus on custom glass development for specialized defense and aerospace applications.

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Infrared Optical Glass Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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9️⃣ 2. Ohara Corporation

Headquarters: Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
Key Offering: Optical Glass, Precision Molded Glass Lenses, Infrared Glass Materials

Ohara Corporation is renowned for its high-precision optical glass, serving demanding markets worldwide. The company specializes in producing stable and homogenous glass materials with precisely controlled optical constants, which is essential for high-performance infrared systems. Ohara’s expertise in molding technology also allows it to supply complex-shaped infrared optics directly to OEMs.

Innovation and R&D Focus:

• Advanced melting and processing techniques to ensure exceptional material homogeneity.

• Development of glass types with low dispersion and high refractive index for superior image quality.

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8️⃣ 3. Corning Incorporated

Headquarters: Corning, New York, USA
Key Offering: Specialty Glass, Infrared Transmitting Materials, Fused Silica

Corning Incorporated brings over 170 years of materials science innovation to the infrared optical glass market. While famous for its Gorilla Glass, Corning also produces high-purity fused silica and other specialty glasses used in infrared applications requiring exceptional clarity and resistance to thermal shock. Their materials are found in aerospace windows, laser systems, and high-end thermal imaging equipment.

Innovation and R&D Focus:

• Investment in ultra-pure material synthesis to minimize absorption in critical IR bands.

• Development of durable glass-ceramics for harsh environment applications.

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7️⃣ 4. AGC Inc.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Fluoride Glass (e.g., IR-FIR01), Chalcogenide Glass, Optical Components

AGC Inc. (formerly Asahi Glass Co.) is a diversified glass manufacturer with a strong technological base in infrared materials. The company produces fluoride and chalcogenide glasses that offer transmission further into the infrared spectrum, making them suitable for chemical sensing, environmental monitoring, and advanced thermal imaging systems.

Innovation and R&D Focus:

• Focus on expanding the transmission range of its glass products into the mid-wave and long-wave infrared.

• Development of cost-effective manufacturing processes for high-volume applications.

Download FREE Sample Report:
Infrared Optical Glass Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. Umicore

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: Infrared Glass (ZnSe, ZnS), Selenium-based Materials

Umicore, a global materials technology and recycling group, is a key supplier of high-performance infrared materials, particularly zinc selenide (ZnSe) and zinc sulfide (ZnS). These polycrystalline materials are excellent alternatives to glass for many LWIR applications due to their broad transmission band and durability. Umicore’s expertise in sourcing and refining key elements like selenium gives it a strategic advantage.

Innovation and R&D Focus:

• Enhancing the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process for producing large, high-quality ZnSe and ZnS blanks.

• Recycling and sustainable sourcing of critical raw materials.

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5️⃣ 6. Vitron Spezialwerkstoffe GmbH

Headquarters: Jena, Germany
Key Offering: Custom Infrared Glasses, Chalcogenide Glass (IG2, IG3, IG4, IG5, IG6), Precision Optics

Vitron Spezialwerkstoffe is a German specialist in high-purity chalcogenide and other infrared glasses. The company excels at producing custom glass compositions to meet specific customer requirements for transmission, refractive index, and thermal properties. Vitron’s strong engineering capabilities allow it to supply from raw glass ingots to finished, polished optical components.

Innovation and R&D Focus:

• Specialization in tailoring glass properties for specific spectral bands and environmental conditions.

• Development of glasses with improved mechanical strength and resistance to crystallization.

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4️⃣ 7. LightPath Technologies, Inc.

Headquarters: Orlando, Florida, USA
Key Offering: Molded Infrared Lenses, Chalcogenide Glass Lenses, Integrated Optical Assemblies

LightPath Technologies is a prominent integrated manufacturer of precision molded glass and infrared optics. The company stands out for its expertise in precision glass molding (PGM) of chalcogenide glasses, which allows for the cost-effective production of complex aspheric lenses. This capability is crucial for high-volume applications in automotive LiDAR and commercial thermal cameras.

Innovation and R&D Focus:

• Pioneering high-volume precision molding techniques for chalcogenide materials.

• Vertical integration from glass production to coated optical assemblies.

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3️⃣ 8. CDGM Glass Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Key Offering: Comprehensive Optical Glass Catalog, H-K9L Glass, Infrared Glass Types

CDGM Glass is China’s leading manufacturer of optical glass and a major force in the global supply chain. The company offers one of the world’s most extensive catalogs of optical glasses, including numerous types suitable for near-infrared applications. CDGM’s competitive pricing and large-scale production capacity make it a key supplier for cost-sensitive markets and a growing domestic defense industry.

Innovation and R&D Focus:

• Expanding its portfolio to include more specialized infrared and environmentally friendly glass types.

• Increasing production scale to meet rising domestic and international demand.

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2️⃣ 9. Sumita Optical Glass, Inc.

Headquarters: Saitama, Japan
Key Offering: High-Refractive Index Glass, Low-Dispersion Glass, Infrared Glass Materials

Sumita Optical Glass is a respected Japanese manufacturer known for its innovation in high-index, low-dispersion optical glasses. The company’s materials are engineered to minimize chromatic and spherical aberrations in optical systems, which is critical for high-resolution thermal imaging. Sumita’s strong R&D focus ensures a continuous pipeline of new materials with enhanced performance characteristics.

Innovation and R&D Focus:

• Developing glass with extreme optical properties (very high refractive index, very low dispersion).

• Focus on material consistency and lot-to-lot reproducibility for mass production.

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1️⃣ 10. Hubei New Huaguang Information Materials Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Ezhou, Hubei, China
Key Offering: Germanium, Zinc Selenide (ZnSe), Infrared Optical Materials

Hubei New Huaguang is a significant Chinese producer of key infrared raw materials, including high-purity germanium and zinc selenide. While not a traditional glass manufacturer, the company’s products are fundamental precursors for germanium-based glasses and are themselves vital infrared-transmitting materials. Its role in the supply chain for critical elements positions it as an important player in the market.

Innovation and R&D Focus:

• Purification and crystal growth of germanium for optical applications.

• Scaling production of CVD ZnSe to meet growing demand for thermal imaging windows and lenses.

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

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Infrared Optical Glass Is Smarter and More Sustainable

The infrared optical glass market is undergoing a significant evolution. While traditional materials like germanium and standard chalcogenides continue to dominate, the industry is heavily investing in new compositions, multifunctional capabilities, and environmentally conscious production.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Accelerated R&D into arsenic- and lead-free glass formulations to meet stringent environmental regulations.

• Development of “intelligent” glasses with adaptive properties for next-generation electro-optic systems.

• Push for materials with broader multispectral transmission from visible to LWIR for advanced sensor fusion.

• Growth in high-volume precision molding to reduce costs for automotive and consumer electronics applications.

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

The companies listed above are not only supplying the materials for today’s vision systems—they’re engineering the foundation for the next generation of sensing technology that will make our world safer, more efficient, and more connected.

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