Sabic patenting rate was extremely low until its purchase of GE Plastics in 2007 when its rate increased exponentially
Cluster of Sabic's material patents are primarily focused on polymers which were originally DSM and more commonly from GE including polyolefins, polycarbonates, polyurethanes etc. Ceramics, carbon segments arerelated to fillers fillers added to the various polymers
Sabic has moved from a non-strategic filing focus to one very strategic (protecting synthesis, compositions and applications) or their plastics.
Sabic patenting rate was extremely low until its purchase of GE Plastics in 2007 when its rate increased exponentially
Competitive Assessment:
I look at competitors portfolio to understand their strategic direction. I am able to understand their investment areas, the size of their R&D group (inventors) and what they consider important (or not).
A client was interested an assessment of Sabic over the years particularly after their 2007 purchase of GE Plastics. Prior to the acquistion, Sabic had little IP and only opportunistic filing related to desalination or extraction equipment or polyethylene catalysts (acquired from DSM). After GE Plastic Acquisition, patent velocity skyrocketed with many new inventors from GE. Filing covered all aspects of the plastics from preparation, formulation, and applications. It is too early to confirm whether Sabic has followed GE's agreesive protection of their IP (heavy self-cites and blocking of competitive patents via citations) but it appears that they have taken GE's strategic approach.
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