99
of corrosive gas in direct contact with the armour to be
assessed.
• The most recent formulations for the Afumex line
went into production, with an improved performance in
terms of operation and mechanical properties, while the
study of heavy metal and phthalate plasticiser-free PVC
formulations was successfully completed.
Lastly, work on cost optimisation continued during the year.
The package of DTC (Design to Cost) projects was extended
to over 1,500 projects, which, combined with compound
rationalisation and better use of materials, allowed the Group
to achieve further significant cost savings.
Intellectual property rights
Protecting its portfolio of patents and trademarks is a key
part of the Group’s business, particularly due to its strategy
The most important products, typically distinguished by particular characteristics or a specific production process, are protected by
trademarks that allow them to be identified and guarantee their uniqueness. At the end of 2013, the Prysmian Group also owned
more than 3,000 trademark registrations in its countries of operation, corresponding to 648 different trademarks covering the
names and identifying symbols of its companies, activities, products and product lines.
of growth in high-tech market segments. In particular, the
Group’s intense R&D activities, in both the Energy and
Telecom businesses, have allowed it to continue to add to its
patent portfolio, especially in the high-tech and higher value-
added segments, to support its major investments in these
fields in recent years and to protect the related businesses,
both now and in the future.
As at 31 December 2013, the Prysmian Group had 5,731
patents and pending patent applications throughout the
world, covering 905 inventions (of which 268 in the Energy
business and 637 in the Telecom business). During 2013, 37
new patent applications were filed, of which 23 in the Telecom
area and 14 in the Energy area, and 209 patents were granted
after examination, of which 37 by the European Patent Office
(EPO) and 59 in the United States.
5,400
5,200
5,000
5,600
5,800
2011
2012
2013
Patents granted and patent applications pending
PATENTS GRANTED AND PATENT APPLICATIONS PENDING
PATENTS GRANTED AND PATENT APPLICATIONS PENDING
