Innovation in nuclear fusion is seeing its sharpest rise in almost a decade, according to the latest patent data published by leading UK intellectual property firm, Appleyard Lees.

The company’s Inside Green Innovation: Progress Report Third Edition – which analyses global patent filings across several key environmental issues, including nuclear power – shows a 50% year-on-year increase in patent filings, from 107 to 159, to 2021.

Appleyard Lees said such innovation investment has not been seen in the sector since 2004-2005 and the start of the Millennium, with companies in Asian countries including Japan, South Korea and China leading the charge.