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R&D
Top 100 Companies Recognized for Quantifiable Improvement in Patent Portfolios
OSAKA, Japan, March 6, 2026 - Daikin Industries, Ltd. announced that it has been selected for the third consecutive year in "Innovation Momentum 2026: The Global Top 100," which recognizes 100 companies driving global innovation based on patent data analysis. Launched in 2022 by LexisNexis Intellectual Property Solutions, a U.S.-based leading global provider of information and analytics, the award evaluates the momentum of companies' technological advancements. This year marks the fifth annual edition of the award, with Daikin's third consecutive selection underscoring its commitment to innovative growth. The awards ceremony was held on Thursday, March 5.
Takeo Abe (right), General Manager, Intellectual Property Department
of Daikin Industries, Ltd., receives the trophy
“Innovation Momentum 2026: The Global Top 100” analyzes companies’ patent data to assess and highlight their momentum and evolution in technological developments over the past two years. Using LexisNexis' patent evaluation metrics, the assessment measures the value of patent portfolios based on factors such as the total number of citations and the market size protected by patents.
To contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions across the industry, Daikin has allowed other companies to use a number of its patents. In December 2019, the company began participating with WIPO GREEN*, the clearinghouse arm of the UN agency specializing in intellectual property, and it registered a total of 419 patents relating to air conditioners that use the low global warming potential refrigerant R32. WIPO GREEN is an online platform that introduces sustainable technologies to the world and encourages the sharing and mutual utilization of them. Daikin has joined forces with WIPO GREEN to promote the widespread use of R32 air conditioners worldwide and reduce the environmental impact of refrigerants around the world.
Moreover, in collaborative creation between startups and industry, government, and academia, Daikin is focused on creating new intellectual property by forming mechanisms that provide incentives for inventions on both sides. These efforts have facilitated the development of beneficial collaborative relationships with multiple universities and research institutes, and the number of patent applications based on active technological development through external collaboration has increased significantly both in Japan and internationally.
“Daikin has been working to strengthen research and development on a global scale to achieve the growth strategy themes that it set out in its strategic management plan ‘Fusion 25.’ These include ‘Challenge to achieve carbon neutrality,’ ‘Promotion of Solutions business connected with customers,’ and ‘Creating value with air,’” explains Takeo Abe, General Manager, Intellectual Property Department of Daikin Industries, Ltd. “In addition to acquiring IP intellectual property rights and avoiding IP infringement with other companies, Daikin will continue to promote IP activities that contribute to its business by focusing on creating intellectual property through industry-industry and industry-academia collaborations and building relationships through free access to patents.”
Going forward, Daikin will continue to protect and leverage intellectual property that drives business growth on a global scale, while contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.
About “Innovation Momentum 2026: The Global Top 100”
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