For a global technology group such as Linde, sustained research and development which is properly targeted is key to long-term business success in an internationally competitive environment. Our innovative drive helps us to continue to discover new applications for our gases and to prepare new developments and plant processes for the market.

In the 2008 financial year, Linde spent a total of EUR 104m on research and development, which is EUR 7m more than in 2007. At 31 December 2008, 536 employees were working in research and development (2007: 480): 267 in the Gases Division and 269 in the Engineering Division. During the financial year, no significant R&D know-how was purchased from third parties.

The systematic promotion of innovation in the Group is of ever-increasing importance, which is demonstrated, for example, by the Linde Group Inventors’ Club. This forum has been used since 2005 to encourage creativity and promote new ideas in the Group throughout the world. The ten best patents registered during a calendar year are awarded prizes in two categories: “technological innovation” and “innovation generating the greatest financial return”.

In the past year, the Group filed 199 new patent applications for inventions. In total, the technologies of The Linde Group were protected by 3,468 patents at 31 December 2008.