Innovation and R&D are essential to all semiconductor companies. ST’s unwavering commitment in this area has been a key success factor for the Company.
Our customers depend on us to provide innovative products which help them create new solutions.
 | > 7,400 employees dedicated to R&D and product design | > 500 patents in 2017 |  | 234 active R&D partnerships |
Creating the right environmentIdeas emerge when people interact. We create and maintain a working environment where employees are motivated and rewarded for contributing ideas that may be useful to the company. Rewards include a financial bonus for engineers who have a patent application accepted for filing and ST Annual Recognition (STAR) awards which recognize and celebrate the best accomplishments of ST people. | Intellectual propertyIntellectual Property (IP) is a key aspect of innovation management at ST, as we frequently buy and license-out IPs. We have an active patent licensing program which provides third parties access to many of our patents and enables them to make wide use of ST technology. | Sustainable TechnologyThrough innovative product design and advanced technologies, we are positively impacting people’s lives and providing users with an enhanced experience. Our innovations also contribute to a more sustainable world with lower energy consumption of the end application, a reduction of materials and waste and a higher recycling potential at end-of-life. |
Technical staffST’s worldwide Technical Staff community plays an instrumental role in bringing experts together to collaborate and share knowledge. The community assembles over 500 technical experts and leaders who are actively involved in the most advanced R&D projects. Our Technical Staff members coordinate activities focused on incubating new, innovative projects, which are managed by cross-divisional teams in a flexible and agile structure. | PartnershipsST has a worldwide network of strategic alliances with key customers, technology development with other semiconductor manufacturers and development alliances with major equipment and CAD suppliers. These industrial partnerships are complemented by a wide range of research programs conducted with leading universities and research institutes around the world. | EcosystemOur commitment to innovation also extends beyond our business activity. Each year we organize and sponsor a number of initiatives to boost innovation in the ecosystem, such as design contests, innovation boosters for startups, partnerships with research labs and universities and events like our techno days and innovation nights with our partners. |
 | Contributing to the Sustainable Development GoalsOur commitments and programs related to Innovation contribute to:SDG target 9.5 - Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technologica capabilities of industrial sectors and increase private research and development spending. |
More details on our programs and performance are available in our latest Sustainability report.
