Brussels, 9 March 2026 – For the third consecutive year, Daikin has been selected for the ‘Innovation Momentum 2026: The Global Top 100’ award that identifies 100 leading companies that are driving innovation globally, based on patent data analysis. This recognition by influential international information provider LexisNexis underscores Daikin’s commitment to innovative growth. The awards ceremony was held on 5 March.
LexisNexis Innovation Momentum 2026: The Global Top 100
This year marks the fifth annual edition of the ‘Innovation Momentum 2026: The Global Top 100’ award, organised by LexisNexis Intellectual Property Solutions. This leading global information and analytics provider evaluates the momentum of corporations' technological advancements.
The award analyses the patent data from corporations worldwide 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.
Access to patents for refrigerants with low global warming potential
As a global leader in HVAC-R technologies, Daikin wants to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions across the industry and therefore allows other companies to use a number of its patents. Since December 2019, Daikin has joined forces with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)*, the clearinghouse arm of the UN agency specialized in intellectual property. They are working together to lower the environmental impact of refrigerants around the world and promote the widespread use of air conditioners that use R-32, a refrigerant with a low global warming potential. WIPO GREEN is the organisation’s online platform that enables the sharing and mutual utilisation of sustainable technologies around the world. Daikin has registered a total of 419 patents related to R-32 air conditioners on WIPO GREEN.
Partnering with industry and academia
Working with startups, industry, government, and academia, Daikin is creating new intellectual property by building incentive-driven models that support innovation on all sides. These efforts have enabled mutually beneficial relationships with multiple universities and research institutes. The number of patent applications based on active technological development through external collaborations has increased significantly in Japan and internationally alike.
“Daikin has been working to strengthen research and development on a global scale to achieve growth strategy themes 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, as well as by building relationships through free access to patents.”
Going forward, Daikin will continue to protect and leverage intellectual property that drives international business growth, while contributing to a more sustainable society.
Further information
About “Innovation Momentum 2026: The Global Top 100”:
www.lexisnexisip.com/resources/top-100-global-innovators-for-2026/
*The United Nations’ World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) wants to accelerate the adoption of solutions to address environmental issues. As part of its mission, it operates WIPO GREEN, an interactive marketplace that connects technology and service providers with those seeking innovative solutions. www3.wipo.int/wipogreen/en/aboutus
About Daikin Europe N.V.
The Daikin Europe Group is a leading provider of heating, cooling, ventilation, air purification and refrigeration (HVAC-R) technology in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Daikin Europe caters to a diverse customer base across these regions by designing, manufacturing, and marketing an extensive range of products, maintenance services and turnkey solutions tailored for residential, commercial and industrial applications. The company employs over 13,800 employees across 58 subsidiaries and operates 15 manufacturing sites in Europe (12), Turkey (1) and the Middle East (2). Daikin’s refrigeration products are available under the Daikin, Tewis, Zanotti, Hubbard, and AHT brands. Headquartered in Ostend, Belgium, for more than 50 years, the Daikin Europe group is a subsidiary of the global group Daikin Industries.
About Daikin Industries Ltd.
Daikin Industries (DIL) is a global leader in heat pump, air conditioning and air filtration technology. The company employs over 103,500 employees worldwide. Founded in Osaka in 1924, Daikin is the only manufacturer in the world that develops and produces heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, as well as compressors and refrigerants, entirely in-house. Daikin was named one of the world’s top 100 innovative companies by Clarivate (UK) and LexisNexis (USA), recognised for its leadership in technology research and intellectual property. For its fiscal year 2024, Daikin reported record sales of € 28,98 billion (1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025).
Read more on www.daikin.eu and www.daikin.com.
Media Contacts Daikin Europe N.V.
Sofie Sap – T.: +32 472 580482 Mail: sap.s@daikineurope.com
Daisuke Kakinaga – T.: +32 465 462321 Mail: kakinaga.d@bxl.daikineurope.com
