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 growing importance of technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and AI. In the last three years alone, there have been over 425,000 patents filed and granted in the construction industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Environmental sustainability in construction: facade insulation. Buy the report here.
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However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle from early emergence to accelerating adoption, before finally stabilizing and reaching maturity.
Identifying where a particular innovation is on this journey, especially those that are in the emerging and accelerating stages, is essential for understanding their current level of adoption and the likely future trajectory and impact they will have.
80+ innovations will shape the construction industry
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According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which plots the S-curve for the construction industry using innovation intensity models built on over 232,000 patents, there are 80+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Within the emerging innovation stage, self-healing concrete, atmospheric water harvesting, and recycled concrete fillers are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Vacuum insulated glazing (VIG), eco-friendly HVACs and recycled waste-based cements are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas is wall surface temperature controls, which is now well established in the industry.
Innovation S-curve for environmental sustainability in the construction industry
Facade insulation is a key innovation area in environmental sustainability
Façade insulation, also known as external wall insulation (EWI), is an indispensable construction method that significantly improves building energy efficiency and sustainability. Acting as a protective layer, it reduces heat loss, leading to substantial cost savings, while enhancing thermal performance for occupant comfort. Beyond energy efficiency, it mitigates environmental impact by lowering carbon emissions, contributes to building durability by preventing moisture damage, and offers benefits such as soundproofing and architectural flexibility. Recognized in building regulations, it aligns with sustainability standards and plays a pivotal role in modernizing existing structures. Continuous advancements in insulation materials and integration with automation systems underscore its evolving role in shaping the future of sustainable and energy-efficient buildings.
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 220+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established construction companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of facade insulation.
Key players in facade insulation – 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 facade insulation
| Company | Total patents (2010 - 2022) | Premium intelligence on the world's largest companies |
| Compagnie de Saint-Gobain | 124 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Valinge Innovation | 122 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Gebr Knauf | 117 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Fujifilm | 74 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Armstrong World Industries | 57 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Aspen Aerogels | 45 | Unlock Company Profile |
| LG | 27 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Mitsubishi Chemical Group | 26 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Sto | 26 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Rockwool International | 26 | Unlock Company Profile |
| CertainTeed Gypsum | 25 | Unlock Company Profile |
| China State Construction Engineering | 24 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Tenneco | 23 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Framery | 17 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Berkshire Hathaway | 16 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Yamaha | 16 | Unlock Company Profile |
| RAG-Stiftung | 15 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Pacific Coast Building Products | 15 | Unlock Company Profile |
| State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council | 15 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Precision Fabrics Group | 15 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Corning | 14 | Unlock Company Profile |
| 3M | 14 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Endurance RP | 13 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Suzhou Gold Mantis Construction Decoration | 13 | Unlock Company Profile |
| BASF | 12 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics | 12 | Unlock Company Profile |
| James Hardie Industries | 11 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Ashtech Industries | 11 | Unlock Company Profile |
| POSCO | 10 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Dow | 10 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Sika | 9 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Signify | 9 | Unlock Company Profile |
| CKM Applied Materials | 9 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Metallurgical Corporation of China | 8 | Unlock Company Profile |
| KGIC Merger | 8 | Unlock Company Profile |
| General Electric | 8 | Unlock Company Profile |
| China Railway Design | 8 | Unlock Company Profile |
| National Gypsum Properties | 7 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Pixie Dust Technologies | 7 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Koch Industries | 7 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Sekisui Chemical | 7 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Sekisui House | 7 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Swiss Krono | 7 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Hexcel | 7 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Kronoplus Technical | 6 | Unlock Company Profile |
| State Grid Corporation of China | 6 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics | 6 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Clarus | 6 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Standard Industries | 6 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Centre National Research Scientific | 5 | Unlock Company Profile |
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, Valinge Innovation and Gebr Knauf are the top three leading patent filiers for facade insulation in the construction sector.
Valinge Innovation secured a patent in October 2023 for an advanced wood-based board manufacturing method. This innovative process involves applying a first fiber mat with lignocellulosic particles and a binder onto a carrier, followed by the application of a second fiber mat with cellulosic particles and a binder. The key breakthrough lies in the simultaneous pressing of these mats, resulting in a wood-based board with distinct base and surface layers. This patented method offers a customizable solution for facade insulation, enabling the application of layers with varying thicknesses. Valinge's innovation marks a significant leap in wood-based board manufacturing, providing architects and builders with unparalleled flexibility and precision in facade insulation design.
In terms of application diversity, Dow, CertainTeed Gypsum, and General Electric have the widest range of patent applications. By means of geographic reach, Valinge Innovation, Aspen Aerogels and Tenneco are the most widely spread.
In September 2023, Aspen Aerogels achieved a significant milestone with the grant of a patent for its groundbreaking invention in the realm of insulating composite materials. This pioneering innovation integrates an inorganic aerogel with a melamine foam, introducing a novel synergy that enhances insulation capabilities. The patent extends to the intricate production method employed to create these composite materials, showcasing Aspen Aerogels' commitment to advancing the field of insulation technology.
The insulating composite materials developed by Aspen Aerogels, as outlined in the patent, open up new avenues for applications across various industries. The strategic combination of an inorganic aerogel and melamine foam not only improves thermal insulation, but also brings added benefits in terms of durability, flexibility, and fire resistance.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the construction industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in 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.
