Report reveals positive trend for corporate R&D investment

The figures, derived from a European Commission survey, show the importance that these companies place on R&D as a key factor for their future growth and prosperity, despite the current economic difficulties.

According to a statement, the frontrunner is the software and computer services sector, which expects R&D investment to grow by 11 per cent per year on average, followed by general industrials (6.8 per cent), automobiles and parts (6.0 per cent), chemicals (5.5 per cent), oil and gas producers (4.6 per cent), aerospace and defence (4.1 per cent), construction and materials (3.8 per cent) and technology hardware and equipment (3.5 per cent).

In-house R&D is seen as the most relevant driver of innovation by the surveyed companies, followed by market research and related activities for new product introduction.

‘This positive trend for corporate R&D investment is essential for European competitiveness,’ said Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, commissioner for research, innovation and science. ‘These companies are the main drivers in making the European economy more knowledge based and smarter. Our future research and innovation programme, Horizon 2020, will give a further boost to innovative enterprises.’