Regional Leader in Patent Production: Lake Constance Yields Numerous Patents

In the thriving innovation landscape of Baden-Württemberg, the latest figures from the Baden-Württemberg Patent Atlas reveal some intriguing insights. The region saw a total of more than 14,600 patent applications in 2023.

One of the standout regions is the IHK region of Stuttgart, accounting for more than 67% of the patents in the state. This is followed by the innovative Lake Constance-Oberschwaben region, which accounts for around 11%.

The Lake Constance-Oberschwaben region, encompassing the districts of Ravensburg, Sigmaringen, and Lake Constance, continues to be among the leaders in the state in terms of patent applications. Interestingly, the region's high patent count is primarily due to one company, although the specific company remains unnamed in the available search results.

Other notable companies in the region with high patent activity, according to the 2023 evaluation, include Erwin Hymer (motorhome manufacturer), Blaser (weapons manufacturer), and Vaude (outdoor equipment supplier).

Among these, ZF, a company based in Friedrichshafen, accounts for the largest share of patent applications in the IHK region Lake Constance-Oberschwagen. ZF filed more than 1,300 patents in 2023, according to the annual report of the German Patent and Trademark Office.

ZF's inventions span across various categories, with transport, machine elements, and electrical machines and systems being the most prominent. The company's patents also extend to drive systems for cars and bicycles.

In the national comparison, ZF ranks 5th among the most patent-active companies in Germany. This underscores the company's significant contribution to the state's innovation ecosystem.

It's worth noting that patent applications in the region are initially kept secret for 18 months. This confidentiality period is a standard practice to protect the innovative ideas and developments before they are made public.

The current patent atlas published by the Patent and Trademark Center of Baden-Württemberg provides a comprehensive overview of these findings, offering a valuable resource for understanding the state's dynamic patent landscape.