Safran is #1 applicant for patents in the French clean energies sector

Between 2010 and 2019, innovation grew at a faster pace in energy technologies than in fossil fuels. Europe is the world's most innovative region in terms of low-carbon energies, accounting on its own for 28% of patents issued in this sector between 2010 and 2019. The EPO and IEA's analysis was based on international patent families* (IPFs).

Safran: The French champion 

French innovations account for more than 4% of world innovations in this sector. More than 17,487 families were registered in the 2000-2019 period, making France Europe's second most innovative country in low-carbon energies and the sixth most innovative worldwide.

With 1,997 IPFs registered in France, Safran is France's leading company in terms of innovation in clean energy technologies.

"The study concludes by confirming Safran as the French champion. This is the result of years of R&T investment by Safran to 'decarbonize' air transportation, and illustrates the efforts and dynamism of all of the Group's employees, as well as the special attention paid to protecting the fruits of that creativity. Patents are good indicators of innovation capability, contribute to the Group's reputation and reinforce and secure the leading status of the Group's companies and products," comments Jean-Marc Brunel, Group Intellectual Property Director.

 

Towards a "carbon-free" aviation industry

"The energy transition that will be required to tackle climate change is a challenge of considerable scale and complexity. […] This report calls for action in intensifying our research and innovation efforts to create clean energy technologies and improve existing technologies," says António Campinos, President of the EPO. 

This opinion is shared by Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran, who – during the recent "Green Recovery" Clean Sky event – emphasized the importance of a "continuous research effort focused on reducing CO2 emissions" to accelerate environmental and energy transition in the aviation industry. 

*IPFs are inventions that are deemed sufficiently important for the inventor to request protection at international level. 

 

Safran and patents

• More than 12,000 patented inventions covered by a portfolio of more than 45,000 property rights
• More than 1,000 inventions patented every year
• No.1 company in the Aerospace sector in terms of the number of patents issued in Europe 
• No.1 French company in terms of the number of patents issued in Europe
• No.2 company in terms of French patent applications published in 2020
• No. 2 French company in the Top 50 European patent applicants table
• No.1 non-US company in the Top 100 of holders of US patents.