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Data Insights Innovation in construction: drainage flow regulators

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However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle from early emergence to accelerating adoption, before finally stabilizing and reaching maturity.

Identifying where a particular innovation is on this journey, especially those that are in the emerging and accelerating stages, is essential for understanding their current level of adoption and the likely future trajectory and impact they will have.

80+ innovations will shape the construction industry

According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which plots the S-curve for the construction industry using innovation intensity models built on over 240,000 patents, there are 80+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.

Within the emerging innovation stage, waterproof floor drains, adjustable width road pavers and construction 3D printing are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Floating breakwaters, self-healing concrete and building panel interlocking are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are pneumatic door closers and embossed floor panels, which are now well established in the industry.

Innovation S-curve for the construction industry

Drainage flow regulators is a key innovation area in construction

Drainage flow regulators refer to devices or structures designed to control or regulate the flow of water in drainage systems, such as in stormwater management systems or wastewater treatment systems. These regulators ensure that the flow of water is controlled, preventing flooding and erosion, while also preventing the buildup of sediment in the drainage system.

GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 410+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established construction companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of drainage flow regulators.

Key players in drainage flow regulators – a disruptive innovation in the construction industry

‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.   

‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.  

Patent volumes related to drainage flow regulators

CRH’s subsidiary Hydro International, a manufacturer and provider of water management products, services and expertise, is a leading patent filer in drainage flow regulators. A key innovation by the company is the development of a vortex flow control device used for regulating the flow of water in drainage systems. The device induces turbulence in the region of the inlet to control the flow of water. Other innovations by the company include a stormwater gully designed to prevent flooding during high rates of flow in stormwater systems. The gully features bypass inlets that allow for the rapid discharge of water if water levels rise too high. China Construction First Building Group, a provider of engineering services and a subsidiary of China State Construction Engineering (CSCEC), is another key patent filer in this space. One of its innovations includes the development of a water-draining residue soil collecting pit used in drainage systems that contains water collecting holes and joints to pump water from the pit. This reduces the water content in residue soil, improving transportation, and disposal.

In terms of application diversity, leading innovators in the space include CRH, Xylem, and ACO Ahlmann.

By means of geographic reach, Orbia Advance held the top position, followed by Xylem and Integrated Design & Engineering.

To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the construction industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Construction.

GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.

GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.