SACCHARIDES OBTAINED FROM NATURAL SOURCES OR BY HYDROLYSIS OF NATURALLY OCCURRING DISACCHARIDES, OLIGOSACCHARIDES OR POLYSACCHARIDES (chemically synthesised sugars or sugar derivatives C07H; polysaccharides, e.g. starch, derivatives thereof C08B; malt C12C; fermentation or enzyme-using processes for preparing compounds containing saccharide radicals C12P19/00; production of sucrose C13B)

Description

C13K covers the extraction, isolation, and hydrolytic processing of saccharides derived from natural sources, including the breakdown of naturally occurring di-, oligo-, and polysaccharides into smaller sugar molecules. This classification encompasses technologies for obtaining monosaccharides and oligosaccharides through enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis of starch, cellulose, sucrose, and other biopolymers. Typical inventions include methods for sugar production from agricultural materials, purification techniques, and processes yielding glucose, fructose, maltose, and similar products. Adjacent classes address synthetic saccharide synthesis (C13C) and the initial processing of raw sugar materials (C13B and C13J).

Filing statistics

CPC subclass C13K recorded 5,426 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 861 in 2013 to 195 in 2023 (-77%), peaking at 877 applications in 2014. The most active applicants in class C13 are XYLECO (394 applications), TORAY INDUSTRIES (142 applications) and API INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY HOLDINGS (128 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings