Major opportunities

The Carl Zeiss Meditec Group is a leading medical technology company specializing in innovative products and solutions for ophthalmology and surgical microscopy. The Company benefits from a continuously growing health care sector, particularly in the fields of ophthalmology and surgical procedures, which increases the demand for high-quality medical devices. By investing substantially in research and development, the Carl Zeiss Meditec Group is able to drive technological innovation, such as the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into diagnostic and treatment devices, in order to gain a competitive edge. The Carl Zeiss Meditec Group has a high ratio of research and development expenditure to revenue by industry standards (2024/25: 14.6%) which could enable the Company to gain additional market share by means of the resulting innovations.

Demographic change, in particular the ageing population, leads to an increase in eye diseases, which is boosting demand for surgical interventions and thus for the products of Carl Zeiss Meditec Group. Growth markets also offer great potential, whereby access to new markets can be facilitated through partnerships or local production facilities. Digitalization in the healthcare sector also opens up new business opportunities.

Strategic acquisitions can expand the product portfolio and integrate new technologies that promote growth. Overall, the Carl Zeiss Meditec Group has a wide range of opportunities to further consolidate its position as market leader through strategic measures and investments.

The Chinese market offers the Group additional opportunities that the Company can exploit. China has been one of the fastest growing markets for medical technology in recent years and has specific characteristics that can be advantageous for the Carl Zeiss Meditec Group. With the increasing urbanization and rising income of the population, the demand for high-quality healthcare services is growing.

In China, the prevalence of eye diseases is also increasing, particularly due to lifestyle changes and environmental and demographic factors. In particular, there is a high prevalence of myopia (short-sightedness) in the young population, while the older population is increasingly affected by conditions such as cataracts and retinal diseases. This creates an increased demand for the diagnostic and surgical solutions offered by the Group. The Chinese government is actively promoting the development of the health care sector through various initiatives and programs. New business opportunities arise for the Group from investments in health care infrastructure and improved access to medical care.

The introduction of innovative products based on state-of-the-art technology could be well received on the Chinese market. Through strategic partnerships or joint ventures with local companies, the Carl Zeiss Meditec Group can strengthen its market presence in China and benefit from local knowledge and networks.

In contrast to risk management, opportunities are not systematically quantified in the Carl Zeiss Meditec Group. Unless otherwise stated, the opportunities mentioned always refer to both strategic business areas of the Group.