The Global K9 Optical Glass Market was valued at USD 244 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 390 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.7% during the forecast period (2024–2034). This growth is driven by escalating demand from consumer electronics, the expansion of automotive sensing systems, and continuous innovation in industrial and scientific instrumentation.

As industries worldwide demand higher precision, clarity, and reliability in optical components, the spotlight is on the key material suppliers who are driving advancements in material purity, thermal stability, and production efficiency. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the K9 Optical Glass Industry—a blend of established global giants and innovative regional leaders shaping the future of optics.

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🔟 1. Schott AG

Headquarters: Mainz, Germany
Key Offering: High-purity K9 glass blanks, custom optical components

Schott AG is a global leader in specialty glass and glass-ceramics, with a long-standing reputation for high-quality K9 optical glass. The company supplies large, defect-free glass blanks to optical component fabricators worldwide, serving applications from precision lenses to complex prism systems. Their commitment to research ensures material consistency and superior optical performance.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Investment in advanced melting and annealing technologies for higher homogeneity

• Development of eco-friendly, lead-free glass formulations

• Global technical support and customization for high-value applications

Download FREE Sample Report: K9 Optical Glass Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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9️⃣ 2. HOYA CORPORATION

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: K9 glass, precision optics, and electronic materials

HOYA CORPORATION is a dominant force in the optics and electronics industries, renowned for its high-performance K9 optical glass. The company leverages its vertical integration, producing both the raw glass and finished optical components, which gives it a significant edge in quality control and application-specific solutions for cameras, medical devices, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Pioneering high-refractive-index and low-dispersion glass variants

• Automation of precision grinding and polishing processes

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8️⃣ 3. OHARA Inc.

Headquarters: Sagamihara, Japan
Key Offering: Optical glass, laser glass, crystallized glass

OHARA Inc. is a specialized manufacturer of optical glass with a strong global presence. The company’s K9 glass is valued for its excellent optical clarity and thermal stability, making it a preferred choice for high-end imaging systems, projection optics, and scientific instruments. OHARA focuses on technical excellence and consistent material properties.

Innovation Initiatives:

• R&D focused on extreme low thermal expansion materials

• Supply chain optimization for global logistics efficiency

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7️⃣ 4. Nikon Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: K9 glass, precision lenses, photolithography systems

While primarily known for its cameras and lithography systems, Nikon Corporation is also a significant producer of high-quality optical glass. Its expertise in optical design informs its glass manufacturing, ensuring materials meet the stringent requirements of its own products and those of other high-tech industries, particularly in semiconductor manufacturing and precision metrology.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Integration of glass production with advanced optical design software

• Development of materials for next-generation EUV lithography

Download FREE Sample Report: K9 Optical Glass Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. AGC Inc.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Glass, chemicals, and ceramics

AGC Inc. (formerly Asahi Glass Co.) is a diversified materials giant with a substantial optical glass division. The company produces a wide range of K9 glass products, benefiting from its large-scale manufacturing capabilities and expertise in glass science. AGC serves a broad market, from consumer electronics to automotive and architectural glass with optical properties.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Sustainability-driven R&D for reduced environmental impact

• Expansion into value-added glass-ceramic composites

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5️⃣ 6. CDGM Glass Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Chengdu, China
Key Offering: K9 glass, optical crystals, and finished lenses

CDGM Glass Co., Ltd. is one of China’s largest and most prominent manufacturers of optical glass. The company has become a major global supplier, competing effectively on both quality and cost. CDGM offers a comprehensive portfolio of K9 glass types and has significantly expanded its production capacity to meet growing domestic and international demand.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Rapid scaling of production capacity to over 30,000 tons annually

• Focus on improving material homogeneity and bubble quality

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4️⃣ 7. Sumita Optical Glass, Inc.

Headquarters: Saitama, Japan
Key Offering: Specialized optical glass, precision molds

Sumita Optical Glass, Inc. specializes in high-value, custom optical glass solutions. While smaller in scale than the giants, Sumita is renowned for its ability to produce highly specialized glass types, including unique K9 formulations with specific refractive indices or dispersion characteristics. The company serves niche markets requiring exceptional performance.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Expertise in producing extra-low dispersion (ED) glass

• Strong focus on R&D for laser and infrared applications

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3️⃣ 8. Edmund Optics

Headquarters: Barrington, New Jersey, USA
Key Offering: Off-the-shelf optics, K9 glass components, imaging solutions

Edmund Optics is a leading global supplier of optics, imaging components, and K9 glass products. While not a primary glass melter, the company is a critical player in the supply chain, providing fabricated components like lenses, windows, and prisms to a vast customer base in R&D, industrial, and defense sectors. Their strength lies in application engineering and rapid delivery.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Extensive online catalog and technical support resources

• Investment in state-of-the-art coating and fabrication facilities

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2️⃣ 9. VY Optoelectronics Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Zhangjiagang, China
Key Offering: K9 glass blanks, optical lenses, crystal materials

VY Optoelectronics Co., Ltd. is a growing Chinese manufacturer focused on optical glass and related components. The company has been expanding its market share by offering competitive pricing and reliable quality, catering to the booming consumer electronics market in Asia. VY Optoelectronics is increasingly serving international customers seeking cost-effective optical solutions.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Expansion of production lines to increase output

• Focus on achieving higher levels of optical precision

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1️⃣ 10. Changchun UP Optotech Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Changchun, China
Key Offering: K9 glass, optical domes, laser optics

Changchun UP Optotech Co., Ltd. specializes in the research, development, and production of optical materials and components. The company supplies K9 glass for a variety of applications, including defense, aerospace, and industrial lasers. Its strategic location in a major Chinese industrial hub provides advantages in sourcing and logistics.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Development of large-aperture K9 glass components

• Investment in advanced metrology for quality assurance

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

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🔭 Outlook: The Future of K9 Optical Glass Is Brighter and More Precise

The K9 optical glass market is undergoing a significant evolution. While it remains a foundational material for traditional optics, the industry is investing heavily in production automation, material enhancement, and customized solutions to meet the demands of next-generation technologies.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Rising demand from Automotive LiDAR and ADAS systems

• Increasing integration of high-quality optics in consumer electronics

• Shift towards lead-free and environmentally compliant glass formulations

• Growing need for precision components in medical and AR/VR devices

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 technological advancement of countless industries that rely on clear, precise vision.