Research and innovation in industrial automation is on the rise in the global beverages industry, according to recently-released figures.
Research from GlogbalData this week shows that the number of industrial automation-related patent applications from beverage companies in the three months to the end of January stood at 13 – up from 11 over the same period in 2021. Figures for patent grants related to industrial automation followed a similar pattern to filings – growing from 12 in the corresponding three-month period a year earlier to 14.
The figures have been compiled by GlobalData, which tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Using textual analysis, as well as official patent classifications, these patents are grouped into thematic areas, then linked to key companies across various industries.
Industrial automation, which is one of the key areas tracked by GlobalData, has been identified as a key disruptive force facing companies in the coming years.
The figures also provide an insight into the largest innovators in the sector.
PepsiCo was the top industrial automation innovator in beverages in the quarter. The company filed ten industrial automation-related patents in the period, although this eas a decline from 16 filed by the snacks & soft drinks giant in the same period 12 months earlier.
PepsiCo was followed Nestle with six industrial automation patent applications and Asahi Group Holdings and Anheuser-Busch InBev with two each.
