RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL

Description

B09C covers methods and systems for treating and remediating soil contaminated by chemical substances, pollutants, or hazardous materials. This includes physical, chemical, and biological treatment processes such as soil washing, thermal remediation, bioremediation, and stabilization techniques applied in situ or ex situ. The classification encompasses equipment and apparatus designed specifically for soil decontamination, as well as procedural approaches to restore contaminated land for safe reuse. Related waste disposal technologies are classified separately under B09B.

Filing statistics

IPC subclass B09C recorded 29,744 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 1,150 in 2013 to 3,215 in 2023 (+180%), peaking at 4,319 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class B09 are CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (776 applications), TAIHEIYO CEMENT CORPORATION (279 applications) and BEIJING GEOENVIRON ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (247 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings