- On World IP Day we celebrate our innovators and inventors who develop world class technologies that help our customers address some of the world’s most pressing challenges
- ABB actively champions intellectual property rights as a crucial pillar for innovation and economic growth.
- Our patent portfolio shows clear alignment with 3 out of 4 SDGs where we have the most impact
At ABB, technology and innovation are key to our holistic value creation for our stakeholders and for our long-term success. As we celebrate World IP Day (April 26), we recognize and celebrate our many inventors across ABB. Within 2023, we had more than 120 first time inventors with patents granted. Our researchers work tirelessly to develop world class technologies that help our customers address the world’s most pressing challenges, transform industries to reach new levels of performance and embed sustainability in everything we do.
IP and value creation
IP is an important element of our value creation model. As of December 31, 2023, we have a portfolio of approximately 26,000 granted patents and pending patent applications. Within the year itself, we filed over 650 priority patents, utility models and design applications.
“Intellectual Property (IP) is the legal framework around innovation. IP surrounds us everywhere; it underpins scientific breakthroughs and facilitates dynamic innovation activities that ABB engages in with and for our customers, and for society. IP is the business of ideas, and it thrives on the collective efforts of inventors and creators. By protecting their intellectual contributions through patents, copyrights, and trademarks, we empower innovators to shape the future, drive progress, and transform concepts into reality. Let us celebrate the brilliance of our IP community and honor the spirit of those who turn imagination into tangible impact.”
Charlotta Ljungdahl, Head of IP
We believe in a high-quality patent system as patents benefit all innovators and are ‘openers’ for collaboration in the innovation ecosystem.
IP and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This year’s World IP Day theme ‘IP and the SDGs: Building our common future with innovation and creativity,’ resonates deeply. By canvassing a wide range of internal and external stakeholders for their perspectives on ABB’s impacts, we identified four SDGs on which we have the greatest impact. These are SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure) and SDG 13 (climate change).
Based on our recent IP mapping, our data indicates that three of these four SDGs, with the exception of SDG 8, are also the ones with the most linked patents. This shows that our IP filings are in line with our SDG goals. While the four above mentioned SDGs are those on which ABB has the most influence, we also recognize the importance of all other SDGs and endeavor to contribute to their achievement whenever and wherever possible.
R&D, innovation and IP go hand in hand
Intellectual inputs encompass R&D, innovation, intellectual property as well as the collective knowledge of our employees, all of which give us a competitive advantage that is not fully recognized on the balance sheet. With our over 7,000 researchers and our annual R&D investment amounting to approximately four percent of revenues, we actively champion intellectual property rights as a crucial pillar for innovation and economic growth. Our commitment extends beyond mere compliance; it’s about fostering a culture that values and safeguards creativity and invention.
