With 769 patent applications published in France in 2015 (7% more than in 2014), the Group remains the second largest patent filer just behind PSA Peugeot Citroën. This year a new entrant joined the top three, the automotive supplier Valeo, which took third place.
"This annual ranking is a benchmark in the field of innovation in France. Safran's strategy, based on innovation and technological differentiation in all its businesses, is bearing fruit. The Group continues to lead the French aerospace industry, with a global portfolio of 32,000 shares, and more than €2 billion euros invested in R&D during 2015, 64% of which is self-funded research", commented Hervé Devred, Director of Intellectual Property at Safran.
This ranking is a good indicator of the Group's ability to innovate while protecting its expertise. It is also reflected by the prestigious "Top 100 Global Innovators" rankings published by the US firm Thomson Reuters, featuring Safran for the 5th consecutive time this year. The Group's innovative spirit was also celebrated at the end of March on the occasion of the Innovation Awards, which attracted close to 300 participants this year.