FATTY ACIDS FROM FATS, OILS OR WAXES; CANDLES; FATS, OILS OR FATTY ACIDS BY CHEMICAL MODIFICATION OF FATS, OILS, OR FATTY ACIDS OBTAINED THEREFROM

Description

C11C covers the extraction, isolation, and chemical transformation of fatty acids from natural sources (fats, oils, and waxes), as well as the manufacture of candles and chemically modified lipid products. This includes hydrogenation, oxidation, esterification, and other chemical processes that alter the properties of fatty substances for industrial or consumer applications. The classification encompasses both traditional candle production and modern derivatives used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, lubricants, and food additives, excluding crude oil refining and purely physical separation processes covered elsewhere in C11.

Filing statistics

CPC subclass C11C recorded 9,486 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 956 in 2013 to 594 in 2023 (-38%), peaking at 1,128 applications in 2016. The most active applicants in class C11 are P&G (PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY) (6,498 applications), HENKEL (3,445 applications) and BASF (BADISCHE ANILIN & SODA FABRIK) (2,409 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings