2023-09-19 03:05:17
3D printing technologies are experiencing rapid development in terms of innovation. Patent applications in this area increased eight times faster than all technologies between 2013 and 2020. And Switzerland is doing well.
Unsurprisingly, the United States is the most prolific, with 40% of all international patent families related to 3D printing between 2001 and 2020. According to the new report from the European Patent Office (EPO) published on Tuesday, Switzerland occupies 8th place in the world and 4th in Europe.
In Europe, Germany has filed the most patent applications in additive manufacturing, namely 3D printing. It brings together 41% of the European share (39 countries are members of the EPO). Next, almost tied at 12%, are France and the United Kingdom. Fourth on the continent, Switzerland has almost 8%.
Medical sector
It is especially in the field of health and medicine that Switzerland stands out. Nearly a third of all Swiss 3D printing patents concern this sector. With 401 families of international patents (FBI) devoted to this field, out of the 1308 registered between 2001 and 2020, Switzerland ranks 4th in the world in the sector. And the EPO underlines solid performances in implants and prostheses, medical equipment and dental.
Two Swiss companies specializing in hearing care particularly stand out. Phonak ranks 5th globally with 37 FBI in the implants and prosthetics category. Sonova follows in 6th place with 34 FBI.
In terms of relative specialization, the EPO study shows that Swiss companies and inventors are particularly active in jewelry, with 18.8% of FBIs in the sector in the world (2nd in the world) and in the food industry. (7.7%, 5th place in the world). An FBI represents an important invention for which the patent applications filed cover at least two different countries, specifies the EPO.
Public institutions
Across all sectors, the three Swiss companies which have filed the highest number of patent applications in the field of 3D printing are the chemist Clariant (52 FBI), Phonak (51 FBI) and the technology and ABB automation (45 FBI).
Globally, the American companies General Electric, Raytheon Technologies and HP occupy the first three places. Siemens, 4th, is the most important European player, with nearly 1,000 FBIs.
Universities and public research organizations (PROs) also contribute significantly to innovation in the field of 3D printing. Around 12% of 3D printing FBIs were filed by universities or OPRs, almost double their usual share of patents (7%). In Switzerland, the EPFZ has registered 38 FBIs and the EPFL 37 FBIs.
High increase
Because patents are filed months or even years before products appear on the market, patent information can indicate where technologies are headed. This report therefore shows how essential 3D printing is to foster innovation and sustainable development in all sectors across the world, underlines the EPO.
During the Covid pandemic, 3D printing has played a vital role in the shift to local production, reducing reliance on international supply chains.
The additive manufacturing market has seen strong growth, with industry revenues tripling from $6 billion in 2016 to $18 billion in 2022, according to estimates from Wohlers Associates. According to projections, the market could exceed $50 billion by 2028.
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