Page 19 - Industrial Technology EXTRA - Brexit Briefing

BREXIT BRIEFING

TOP 25 AM APPLICATIONS AT THE EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE, 1000-2018

US and Europe also dominate the ranking
overall, with 11 US and eight European
companies among the top 25 applicants.

Smaller players
While two out of three patent applications in
AM technologies were filed by very large
companies, the study also reveals that
companies with 15 to 1 000 employees
accounted for 10% (or 2 148) of applications,
individual inventors and small businesses
with fewer than 15 employees generated
12% (or 2 584), and were responsible for
over 11% (or 2 448), making these three
cohorts significant actors in the AM
innovation ecosystem.

These findings are reflected in the figures for
the UK where very large companies account
The analysis shows that the top 25 technology, electronics, imaging and for 63% of patent applications in AM
applicants accounted for about 30% (or 6 consumer goods, as well as pure 3D-printing technologies, followed by inventors and
548) of all AM patent applications filed specialists such as Stratasys, 3D Systems small businesses of up to 15 employees and
between 2000 and 2018. Led by large US and EOS. universities, hospitals and public research
firms General Electric and United organisations with both 14% and companies
Technologies, with Europe’s Siemens in third Rolls-Royce, with 248 EP applications, is at of up to 1 000 with 8%. British SMEs with
place, the list is comprised of a highly diverse number seven and the third largest company notable activity in AM innovation are, among
range of players from many different if only European companies are considered, others, Embody Orthopaedic, a University
technology fields such as transportation, followed by Renishaw and BAE as the College London spin-out, Fuel 3D
chemicals and pharmaceuticals, information second and third biggest UK applicants. The technologies and Metalysis.

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXTRA – WINTER 2021 19