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CPC Class Not Allocatable
B21

MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL

Description

Class B21 covers mechanical metal-working processes that shape or deform metal without significant material removal, including punching, stamping, bending, drawing, and forging operations. It encompasses machinery, tools, and methods used in cold and hot forming of metals, as well as related processes like shearing and blanking. This class excludes metal cutting and machining operations (covered in B23), welding (B23K), and non-mechanical metal treatment such as casting or heat treatment without forming.

9 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filings, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. JFE STEEL JP 2,667
  2. NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION JP 2,049
  3. POSCO (POHANG IRON AND STEEL COMPANY) KR 1,967
  4. NSSMC (NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL) JP 1,800
  5. SMS GROUP DE 1,538
  6. JFE STEEL 1,150
  7. ARCELORMITTAL LU 1,142
  8. BAOSHAN IRON & STEEL COMPANY 821
  9. HYUNDAI STEEL COMPANY KR 808
  10. THYSSENKRUPP STEEL EUROPE DE 660