The global market for quantum technologies is expected to represent 93 billion euros in 2035, but its adoption is slow and marked by challenges, revealed a study published by the European Patent Organization (OEP) and the OECD.
“Quantum technologies have the potential to transform the way we process information, communicate and measure the world around us, with applications ranging from defense to healthcare […]. However, its commercial adoption remains slow and marked by significant challenges”, said the OEP and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in a statement.
The global market for quantum technologies is expected to represent 93 billion euros by 2025, the same analysis pointed out, noting that there is an “urgent need for scaling strategies” for Europe to transform its “scientific dynamism and market leadership”.
Over the past decade, the number of international patent families (FPI) in the quantum domain has increased fivefold.
The main subsectors are quantum communication, quantum computing and quantum sensors.
Quantum computing has had the biggest growth in terms of FPI, multiplying its numbers by almost 60 since 2005.
Between 2005 and 2024, around 9,740 quantum-related FPIs were generated.
The USA leads, followed by Europe, Japan, China and the Republic of Korea.
In Europe, the main countries in terms of the number of quantum patents are Germany, the United Kingdom and France.
There are more than 4,500 companies in the quantum ecosystem, less than 1,000 of which are exclusively focused on quantum technologies.
Europe has one of the largest clusters of quantum nuclear companies, notably countries such as the United Kingdom (where 46% of quantum companies are nuclear), the Netherlands (38%) and France (30%).
During the period in question, the main FPI applicants were IBM, LG, Toshiba, Intel and Microsoft.
Collaboration between public research organizations, ‘startups’ (companies with rapid economic growth potential) and large companies is “increasingly important” for innovation in the quantum area.
Among the main challenges facing the sector is the increased concentration and dependence on global supply chains for critical components.
On the other hand, these companies need to guarantee the supply of specialized technical components and promote the integration of skills to support commercialization.
The study ‘Mapping the global quantum ecosystem’ was based on data from the OECD and OEP.