The frame of Nanocomp’s new operations and production facility in Joensuu has now reached full height. More than a construction milestone, the new facility represents a major investment in growth, production scalability, and the ability to serve global customers with increasingly advanced photonics solutions. For a company that has grown from a university spin-off into an international photonics player over nearly three decades, the rising structure is a tangible symbol of the next phase of growth.
From the University Lab to the World Stage
Nanocomp’s story began in 1997 at the Joensuu Science Park, in close collaboration with the University of Joensuu. The company was born from the commercialization of photonics research, as a university spin-off, it built a bridge from day one between world-class academic expertise and industrial-scale production.
The founding team brought deep scientific credentials: PhDs and researchers who carried with them not just technological know-how, but a culture in which R&D is at the very core of business. That depth of expertise has been written into Nanocomp’s dna ever since.
“Nanocomp would not exist without the university whose research gave birth to our company as a spin-off. Taking innovations all the way to commercial-scale production that expertise lives right here in Joensuu,” says Veli-Pekka Leppänen, CEO, Nanocomp.
The company grew step by step: from early clean rooms and electroforming lines to roll-to-roll (R2R) production technology, and through internationalization to markets across the globe. The defining moment came in 2023, when Taiwan-based Radiant Opto-Electronics Corporation acquired Nanocomp Oy Ltd. The strategic partnership has strengthened the company’s growth and opened new opportunities in international markets. Today, Nanocomp holds a strong market position and visibility worldwide, with 100% of production going to export.
“When we decided to focus on roll-to-roll technology, it took the operation to a whole new level. The risk paid off: over 50 million components have left Joensuu for the world. The vision is simple – photonics in everyday life, as natural as keys in your pocket. From small components to the displays of portable devices, and beyond,” says Leppänen
Nearly three decades of growth have included both successes and challenges. Building a deep-tech company requires patience, long-term commitment, and the courage to invest ahead of demand. Those choices have helped shape Nanocomp into the company it is today.
Key Milestones in Nanocomp’s Growth Journey
Over nearly three decades, Nanocomp has evolved from a university spin-off into an internationally recognized photonics manufacturer. The company’s growth has been driven by continuous investments in technology, production capabilities, and global market expansion.
- 1997
Company founded in Joensuu – university spin-off - 1998–2001
First clean rooms, electroforming line, and production facility - 2002–2004
First laser beam lithography system, expanded production - 2008
Move to current premises – new clean rooms - 2010–2012
R2R production lines launched – partnership with Amazon begins - 2013–2018
International expansion: Hong Kong, USA, China - 2022
New clean rooms, electroforming scales to 20″ - 2023
Radiant Opto-Electronics Corporation acquires Nanocomp Oy Ltd
Deep Tech Starts With People
What sets Nanocomp apart is its ability to combine deep scientific expertise with hands-on production. The company currently employs 82 people. With 13 PhD-level professionals, it is an exceptionally academically oriented technology company: approximately one in six staff members holds a doctoral degree. Their academic background is directly reflected in the quality of R&D and customer understanding.
The strong photonics and chemistry education at the University of Eastern Finland provides a solid foundation and a continuous pipeline of talent, and newly graduated researchers and engineers find in Nanocomp the opportunity to do internationally significant work, often in their own home city.
Lithography Engineer Maaz Qureshi defended his doctoral dissertation “Waveguide-integrated 2D material photodetectors” at the University of Eastern Finland. He develops lithography processes for the manufacturing of photonic components in Nanocomp’s clean rooms.
“Nanocomp brings together science and production – that was a decisive choice for me, both for my own development and for Nanocomp’s growth. I wanted to bring my own contribution and expertise to development work where technology becomes real,” says Maaz.
New Facility: The Next Step in Growth
Photonics is expected to grow globally at close to seven percent per year, and even faster in Finland. Nanocomp’s new operations and production facility is a direct response to that growth: at its core is the ability to scale technology seamlessly from pilot to commercial mass production.
For customers, this translates into concrete improvements: stronger delivery reliability, expanded pilot capacity for new solutions, and a faster development cycle from project to production. The facility has been designed not only to increase production capacity, but also to improve operational efficiency, optimize production flows, and create room for future expansion. It enables Nanocomp to scale manufacturing significantly without compromising quality, flexibility, or delivery performance. New clean rooms and state-of-the-art production equipment enable increasingly demanding photonics solutions, and strengthen Nanocomp’s ability to meet rising customer demand.
The new facility is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, with production and product development operations launching in Q1 2027. The investment reflects Radiant Opto-Electronics Corporation’s strong belief in photonics and its growth potential. Nanocomp embodies a rare combination of expertise where science, development, and production scalability come together.
“Great facilities are the foundation of everything. With this investment, we will be able to manufacture better, higher-quality products and stay at the forefront of the industry’s development on a global scale,” adds Leppänen.
Sustainability is built into how Nanocomp operates, and the new facility continues that commitment. The company already runs on 100% emission-free electricity, has reduced its electricity consumption by 6.2% year-over-year (against a target of 2%), and achieves a waste utilization ratio of 98.1%. Harmful chemicals are actively being replaced with safer alternatives, wastewater nickel levels consistently come in below target, and an initial CO₂ reduction plan is now in place. The new facility is designed to support and extend these gains as production scales.
Joensuu: An International Photonics Hub
Nanocomp’s growth is closely linked to the unique photonics ecosystem in Joensuu. The city is home to both Photonics Finland and the European Optical Society, while the University of Eastern Finland has conducted photonics research for more than 50 years. Together, these strengths have created an environment where research, talent, and industry work hand in hand.
According to Leppänen, Nanocomp’s investment can also strengthen the wider regional ecosystem. While many photonics companies in Joensuu are still relatively small, the region has all the ingredients needed for future growth and international success.
Competition is global. Nanocomp competes with companies across Asia and North America, making the decision to expand in Joensuu particularly significant. The investment demonstrates that world-class deep-tech manufacturing can be developed and scaled from Eastern Finland.
Talent is a key part of that success. Employees value Joensuu’s quality of life, short distances, and strong sense of community, factors that help attract and retain highly skilled professionals.
“I feel that we have everything here for a good life, and that builds confidence in the future as well,” emphazises Leppänen.
The topping-out height is a symbol: something permanent is taking shape
On May 26, 2026, Nanocomp celebrated a traditional Finnish topping-out ceremony at the construction site of its new facility. Employees, partners, construction professionals, local stakeholders, and representatives of the owner company Radiant Opto-Electronics Corporation gathered to mark an important milestone in the project.
Several speakers highlighted the significance of the investment not only for Nanocomp, but for the entire photonics ecosystem in Joensuu. A recurring theme throughout the speeches was growth: the new facility creates the physical foundation for expanding production capacity, accelerating innovation, and supporting future international business opportunities.
“This investment is not just about a new building. It is about creating the capacity, capabilities, and environment needed for Nanocomp’s next phase of growth,” says Veli-Pekka Leppänen.
Speakers also emphasized the long journey behind the project. What began nearly three decades ago as a university spin-off has evolved into a globally recognized photonics company whose products are exported around the world.
The topping-out ceremony served as a reminder that the investment is ultimately about people: creating an environment where researchers, engineers, production specialists, and customers can work together more efficiently and transform innovation into scalable commercial success.
But this is not a finish line. The topping-out milestone marks the transition from construction to capability. As the building moves toward completion, Nanocomp is preparing for a future in which larger production volumes, faster commercialization, and global growth can be supported under one roof. The facility is designed not only for today’s needs, but for the next generation of photonics manufacturing.
For more information
Veli-Pekka Leppänen
CEO, Nanocomp Ltd
veli-pekka.leppanen@nanocomp.fi
tel. +358 40 012 7680
Photos: Business Joensuu, Annika Martikainen
Nanocomp is a Finnish photonics company that develops and manufactures flexible light-guiding solutions. The company is part of the Radiant Opto-Electronics Corporation group.