A pivotal moment in the commercialization process of Polish multicore optical fibers. The construction of the Research and Development Center for Optical Fiber Technologies for Industry begins in Lubartów.
On August 30th, with the participation of government officials and representatives from the world of science and business, the ceremonial inauguration of the construction of the Research and Development Center for Optical Fiber Technologies for Industry took place in Lubartów. A unique research center will be established in Lubelskie region, where IPT Fiber company will develop a unique Polish technology for special optical fibers, including multicore optical fibers. The meeting at the Lubartów City Hall preceded the symbolic “groundbreaking” ceremony in the Special Economic Zone.
“Lubelskie region is becoming a hub for cutting-edge optical fiber technologies, and let’s not forget that it was in Lublin, at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, where the first Polish optical fibers were developed almost 50 years ago. Today’s inauguration of construction undoubtedly aligns with the realization of the development strategy of Lubelskie region, in which we place special emphasis on tradition and modernity. Marshal Jarosław Stawiarski, the regional government board, and I are extremely pleased with the development of advanced Polish technologies, productive cooperation between business and Lublin’s scientific community, and the fact that such a modern investment is being established in our region,” said Zbigniew Wojciechowski, Vice Marshal of the Lubelskie Voivodeship, during the meeting at the Lubartów City Hall.
The ceremony began with the symbolic “groundbreaking” in which Zbigniew Wojciechowski – Vice Marshal of the Lubelskie Voivodeship, Krzysztof Paśnik – Mayor of Lubartów, and the management board of IPT Fiber led by President Krzysztof Witoń took part. The invited guests participated also in a meeting at the Lubartów City Hall.
“This is a very important day and a great honor for the city of Lubartów. Our economic zone is constantly growing, which is also confirmed by the construction of the research and development center of IPT Fiber. I am glad that Lubartów will host scientists and specialists who will work on such a groundbreaking Polish solution as multicore optical fibers, which have the potential to become our national product and provide a competitive advantage to the Polish economy. I support this investment and firmly believe that in the future, a factory will also be established in Lubartów where innovative optical fibers will be produced for a wider range of consumers,” said Krzysztof Paśnik, Mayor of Lubartów.
The special optical fibers, including the flagship solution of IPT Fiber – the seven-core optical fiber, which ensures seven times higher bandwidth than commonly used single-core optical fibers, will be developed and manufactured in Lubartów. The unique potential of Polish technology and the advanced level of implementation are confirmed by patents granted in Poland, the United States, Europe (EPO), Japan, Brazil, and South Korea, as well as the world record in data transmission achieved during last year’s international tests with the participation of Orange Polska and Infinera companies.
“The tests have shown that our seven-core optical fiber guarantees the highest bandwidth achieved so far and is compatible with the latest telecommunications infrastructure. Later this year, we will conduct further tests in additional telecommunications bands. I am convinced that our optical fiber, enabling terabit-per-second data transfer, can be Poland’s answer to global telecommunications barriers. The inauguration of the construction of the research and development center in Lubartów is a crucial stage for us in the process of commercializing groundbreaking Polish optical fiber technologies. Therefore, I am extremely pleased that today we are joined by partners from the scientific and business community, our investor and representatives of local authorities,” summarized Krzysztof Witoń, President of the Management Board of IPT Fiber.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of Lublin academic authorities, including Prof. Radosław Dobrowolski, President of Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, and Prof. Zbigniew Pater, Rector of Lublin University of Technology, who jointly declared their support for educating specialized personnel for the advanced technology industry.
“Without the years of work by Lublin scientists from Maria Curie-Skłodowska University and the cooperation with key Polish scientific and research personnel in the field of fiber optics, we would not have the multicore optical fiber and the world record in data transmission today. I am immensely grateful to the researchers and engineers who have been conducting advanced research for years, as well as to the rectors of Lublin universities for their support and commitment to cooperation. Lublin possesses enormous human and academic potential, which we intend to utilize in building future personnel. We will certainly intensify efforts aimed at the development and promotion of Polish photonics,” added President Krzysztof Witoń.
The completion of the construction is planned for the end of 2023. The investment cost will exceed PLN 65 million, of which over PLN 37 million is funding from EU funds within the project “Establishment of the Research and Development Center for Optical Fiber Technologies for Industry,” Action 2.1, POIR. The special optical fibers and innovative fiber optic components developed and manufactured in Lubartów will contribute to the development of next-generation telecommunications and other sectors of the economy.
