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CPC Subclass Not Allocatable
B32B

LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM

Description

B32B covers engineered materials and composite products constructed from two or more layers of different or identical materials bonded together. The classification encompasses laminates, sandwich structures, coated substrates, and multi-ply assemblies using flat, cellular, honeycomb, or other non-flat forms. Applications range from packaging films and adhesive tapes to structural composites, thermal insulation, sound-absorbing panels, and decorative laminates across construction, automotive, aerospace, and consumer goods industries. This subclass focuses on the material composition and layer structure itself rather than the manufacturing processes or end-use applications covered elsewhere.

Filing statistics

CPC subclass B32B recorded 381,235 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 28,950 in 2013 to 24,486 in 2023 (-15%), peaking at 43,790 applications in 2016. The most active applicants in class B32 are NITTO DENKO CORPORATION (5,666 applications), SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS (4,491 applications) and 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY (MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY) (3,703 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

95 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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  • B32B 18/00 Layered products essentially comprising ceramics, e.g. refractory products
  • B32B 2270/00 Resin or rubber layer containing a blend of at least two different polymers
  • B32B 2272/00 Resin or rubber layer comprising scrap, waste or recycling material
  • B32B 2274/00 Thermoplastic elastomer material

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class B32, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. NITTO DENKO CORPORATION JP 5,666
  2. SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FR 4,491
  3. 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY (MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY) US 3,703
  4. DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES US 3,403
  5. NITTO DENKO CORPORATION 3,009
  6. FUJIFILM JP 2,629
  7. CORNING US 2,623
  8. LG CHEM KR 2,576
  9. SEKISUI CHEMICAL COMPANY JP 2,482
  10. TORAY INDUSTRIES JP 2,189