The construction industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by an increased focus on environmental sustainability and workplace safety, and the growing importance of technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics. In the last three years alone, there have been over 27,000 patents filed and granted in the construction industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Advanced materials in construction: fiber-reinforced hydraulic binders. Buy the report here.

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According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over 240,000 patents to analyze innovation intensity for the construction industry, there are 80+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.

Fiber-reinforced hydraulic binders is a key innovation area in advanced materials

Fiber-reinforced hydraulic binders refer to a type of building material that consists of hydraulic binders (such as cement) combined with fibers (both organic and inorganic) to increase its tensile strength and improve its durability. These binders can be used in a variety of construction applications, including the production of concrete parts and the creation of semi-rigid coatings.

GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 200 companies, spanning technology vendors, established construction companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of fiber-reinforced hydraulic binders.

Key players in fiber-reinforced hydraulic binders – a disruptive innovation in the construction industry

‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.

‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.

Patent volumes related to fiber-reinforced hydraulic binders

Company Total patents (2021 - 2023) Premium intelligence on the world's largest companies
HeidelbergCement 137 Unlock Company Profile
Gebr Knauf 103 Unlock Company Profile
Compagnie de Saint-Gobain 98 Unlock Company Profile
BASF 90 Unlock Company Profile
Holcim 72 Unlock Company Profile
Omya International 55 Unlock Company Profile
Halliburton 55 Unlock Company Profile
Sika 45 Unlock Company Profile
Nichiha 40 Unlock Company Profile
Denka 34 Unlock Company Profile
Eternit 33 Unlock Company Profile
Saudi Arabian Oil 33 Unlock Company Profile
Geopolymer Solutions 31 Unlock Company Profile
Kuraray 31 Unlock Company Profile
CelluComp 24 Unlock Company Profile
James Hardie Industries 22 Unlock Company Profile
E. Khashoggi Industries 22 Unlock Company Profile
Sumitomo Mitsui Construction 20 Unlock Company Profile
Materr’UP 18 Unlock Company Profile
Ruredil. 17 Unlock Company Profile
Akzo Nobel 16 Unlock Company Profile
Ecolab 16 Unlock Company Profile
Kronos Worldwide 15 Unlock Company Profile
Energeticky a Prumyslovy 15 Unlock Company Profile
Yara International 15 Unlock Company Profile
Nuova FourB 14 Unlock Company Profile
Parjointco 14 Unlock Company Profile
Etex 14 Unlock Company Profile
The Intellectual Gorilla 13 Unlock Company Profile
Mapei 13 Unlock Company Profile
Weyerhaeuser 10 Unlock Company Profile
Dow 10 Unlock Company Profile
Shin-Etsu Chemical 9 Unlock Company Profile
Vinci 9 Unlock Company Profile
LSC ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS 9 Unlock Company Profile
Kyung Dong 7 Unlock Company Profile
Comstack 7 Unlock Company Profile
Vale 6 Unlock Company Profile
FunzioNano 6 Unlock Company Profile
Bki 6 Unlock Company Profile
Krones 6 Unlock Company Profile
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 6 Unlock Company Profile
Itochu 6 Unlock Company Profile
Lhoist Recherche Et Developpement 6 Unlock Company Profile
Imertech 5 Unlock Company Profile
Foundation for Research Support of Minas Gerais 5 Unlock Company Profile
Grupo Argos 5 Unlock Company Profile
CommScope 5 Unlock Company Profile
Jungheung Construction 5 Unlock Company Profile
TPI Polene Public 5 Unlock Company Profile

Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics

Heidelberg Materials is among the leading patent filers in fiber-reinforced hydraulic binders. Others include Gebr Knauf, Compaigne de Saint-Gobain, BASF and Holcim. Holcim produces an extensive line of cements and hydraulic binders.

In terms of application diversity, Heidelberg Materials leads the pack, while Krones and Halliburton stood in the second and third positions, respectively.

By means of geographic reach, Eternit held the top position, followed by Heidelberg Materials and Compagnie de Saint-Gobain.

To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the construction industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Construction.

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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.

GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.