Manufacture of magnetic and optical media

NACE code 26.80 covers the manufacture of magnetic and optical media, which plays a crucial role in the storage and distribution of digital information. This industry is essential for the functioning of modern data-driven economies, enabling the recording, archiving, and exchange of vast amounts of electronic data across various sectors, from entertainment to enterprise software. As technology continues to evolve, the demand for reliable and high-capacity storage solutions remains strong, making this industry a vital component of the broader information and communication technology (ICT) landscape.

The manufacture of magnetic and optical media involves several key production techniques. Magnetic media, such as magnetic tapes and hard disk drives, are produced by coating a substrate material (e.g., plastic film or metal disks) with a thin layer of magnetic particles, which are then magnetized to store data. Optical media, like CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs, are created by burning data onto a light-sensitive dye layer using laser technology. These discs are then protected by a transparent layer and, in some cases, an additional reflective layer to enhance data retrieval.

The manufacture of magnetic and optical media requires a range of specialized inputs, including raw materials such as magnetic particles, dyes, and substrate materials, as well as sophisticated production equipment like coating machines, sputtering systems, and laser-based recording devices. Additionally, this industry relies on advanced research and development to continuously improve storage capacity, data transfer rates, and overall product performance to meet the evolving needs of consumers and businesses.

The primary outputs of NACE code 26.80 are various types of magnetic and optical media, including magnetic tapes, hard disk drives, CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. These products are then consumed by a wide range of other industries, such as 26.20 Manufacture of computers and peripheral equipment, 58.11 Book publishing, 59.11 Motion picture, video and television programme production activities, and 62.01 Computer programming activities, which utilize these storage solutions for data archiving, content distribution, and software distribution, among other applications.