ARLINGTON, VA - Innovation leaders from a broad cross-section of industries are anticipating a period of managed growth in 2013, according to the 29th Annual R&D Trends Forecast conducted by the Industrial Research Institute (IRI). Specifically, new business R&D projects are expected to remain a significant driver of investment, and the anticipation of increased alliances and partnerships on a global level suggests that industries are expecting varying degrees of R&D and business growth.
The survey, which was conducted in July and August of 2012, is based on feedback from R&D leaders from 114 medium to large corporations in various industries including chemicals, gases and advanced materials; food, tobacco and related products; industrial machinery, equipment and products; and consumer products, among others. Respondents were asked about their actual activity in the past year, their expected investment levels in the coming year, their plans for international dispersion of R&D facilities and their top concerns going into 2013.