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A new study from the European Patent Office finds that Europe is leading the world in the development of new technologies in water-related fields.
Specifically, companies, researchers, and inventors from the EPO's 39 member states accounted for 40% of international patent families (IPFs) in water-related technologies between 1992 and 2021.
The largest area for inventions is water treatment, making up about 60% of all IPFs, per the EPO.
The fastest growing area in recent years is efficient water treatment, and especially automation and control of treatment operations.
The US comes in second with 23% of all IPFs in water-related technologies, followed by Japan (12%), China (6%), and the Republic of Korea (5%).
The leading European countries are Germany (12%), France (5%), the UK (3%), the Netherlands (3%), and Italy (3%).
But university innovation has grown significantly, from under 5% of all water-related IPFs in the 1990s to 14% by 2017-21.
The top patent applicants in water technologies are Veolia (France), Xylem (USA), and Kurita (Japan).
But the contribution of universities and public research organizations has grown significantly, from under 5% of all water-related IPFs in the 1990
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