Apr. 11 2022

Inventors, patents and innovative strength: Siemens’ competitive advantages

  • Siemens takes fifth place in European Patent Office’s patent ranking
  • Twenty inventions per working day in fiscal 2021
  • Strong growth in technologies for the Industrial Internet of Things
  • U.S. business magazine Fast Company recognizes Siemens as one of world’s most innovative companies
  • Siemens honors Inventors of the Year 2021

Siemens filed more patents than any other company in Germany in 2021, climbing to fifth place in the European Patent Office’s applicant ranking. The inventors who work at Siemens lay the foundation for progress and create sustainable value for customers and society – which is Siemens’ purpose.

Leading position in the European Patent Office’s patent ranking
In the 2021 patent application figures, Siemens saw strong growth in technologies that are highly relevant to the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT). In particular, these technologies are data security; machine learning and artificial intelligence; transportation in smart cities; additive manufacturing; and blockchain. In its 2021 patent applications report, the European Patent Office named Siemens among the world’s top-ten applicants in computing, which is the field with the highest growth.

Dr. Roland Busch, President and CEO of Siemens AG, said: “Siemens continues to lead German companies in the European patent rankings. Our inventors filed around 6% more patent applications in 2021. In research and development, we’re focusing our efforts on sustainability and digitalization. And we’re doing so with success: We’re particularly strong when it comes to new patents in these fields.

Digital technologies are, after all, extremely relevant for platforms in the B2B sector, and these platforms are an essential part of our customers’ and partners’ transformations.”

U.S. business magazine Fast Company recognizes Siemens as one of the world’s most innovative companies
The recognition that Siemens has been earning for its innovation capabilities is also reflected in an award bestowed by the American business magazine Fast Company, which named Siemens one of the world’s most innovative companies. This monthly publication, which focuses on technology, business and design, honored Siemens for the work it performed in 2021 to convert BioNTech’s production facility in Marburg, Germany, to manufacture lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines in less than half the expected time.

As BioNTech prepared to retool its Marburg production facility for mass production of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, the company turned to Siemens. Siemens was able to complete the plant in five months while fully digitizing the process. From production documentation to the weighing of vials – steps that were previously done manually – Siemens upgraded the plant to be able to produce up to 625 million doses. Siemens also became BioNTech’s partner when the company wanted to build new production facilities, including one in Singapore, in the summer of 2021.

Siemens honors Inventors of the Year 2021
Since 1995, Siemens has presented its Inventors of the Year award annually to outstanding employees in research and development whose inventions contribute significantly to the company’s success. Since 2016, these awards have also been presented to researchers outside the company.

These awards were again presented for the past year: In January 2022, particularly resourceful researchers were honored as Inventors of the Year 2021. The inventions ranged from hydrogen-powered trains and a clever solution for stabilizing electricity grids that feature a high proportion of renewable energies, all the way to a cancer therapy that is available to many more patients. Information on all the winning inventions and the people behind them is available at https://www.siemens.com/inventors

Siemens filed around 2,500 patents worldwide in fiscal 2021. In total, the company holds more than 43,400 granted patents. During 2021, Siemens employees reported 4,483 inventions. That’s approximately 20 inventions per working day.

About Siemens in China

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare. From more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, and smarter buildings and grids, to cleaner and more comfortable transportation as well as advanced healthcare, the company creates technology with purpose adding real value for customers. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers its customers to transform their industries and markets, helping them to transform the everyday for billions of people. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a globally leading medical technology provider shaping the future of healthcare. In addition, Siemens holds a minority stake in Siemens Energy, a global leader in the transmission and generation of electrical power. For 150 years since its entering into China in 1872, Siemens has been persistently providing comprehensive support to China's development with innovative technology, state-of-the-art solutions and products. As of September 30, 2021, the company had more than 30,000 employees in China. As a part of China’s social and economic development, Siemens joins hands with the Chinese government and all partners to commit to achieving sustainable development. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com.cn.

For further information please contact:

Siemens AG
Bernhard Wardin
bernhard.wardin@siemens.com