The Tata Group said on Wednesday that its published patents doubled to 7,000 between calendar years 2013 and 2015. The number of patents stood at 3,500 at the end of calendar year 2013.
"In the calendar year 2015 itself, Tata companies have filed over 2,000 published patents in India and international jurisdictions," the group said in a statement, adding that "these patents are primarily in the area of computation and data processing; materials, coating, casting and vehicle propulsion; communications; engines; and hybrids, fuels and controls."
The innovation drive is led by the Group Technology & Innovation Office (GTIO) that delivers technology by "harnessing synergies between Tata companies has been implemented to create breakthrough innovations."
The Tata Group said that its $2.9 billion R&D spend amounting to 2.7 percent of the group's turnover in 2014-15 proved the importance it lays on research.
The four focus areas for the group are energy, food and wellness, digital consumer products and services, and digital factory and fleet.
The group, comprising comprising over 100 independent operating companies, includes IT services firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Coffee, Tata Chemicals, Tata Global Beverages, Taj Hotels, Tata Communications and Tata Power.
Tata Sons is the promoter of the group and is headed by Cyrus P Mistry since December 2012. His predecessor was Ratan Tata, who has emerged as a prolific investor in start-ups.
Bombay House in Mumbai is the headquarters of the Tata Group, which had a combined sales of $108.78 billion in 2014-15.
