Skip to content
PCE
Search Classifications
Search for IPC and CPC classification codes or keywords
IPC Class
B21

MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL

Classification Context

Section:
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Class:
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.

Filing statistics

IPC B21 recorded 660,419 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 9 subclasses. Annual filings grew from 33,054 in 2013 to 81,207 in 2023 (+146%), peaking at 87,836 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class B21 are JFE STEEL (2,318 applications), JFE STEEL (2,294 applications) and POSCO (POHANG IRON AND STEEL COMPANY) (2,083 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

In class comparison

B21 comprises 9 subclasses with filings; the largest is B21D with 53.1% of the class's 660,419 applications between 2013 and 2023.

Subclasses of class B21 by patent applications, 2013–2023
RankSubclassTitleApplicationsShare
1B21D, Working or Processing of Sheet Metal or Metal Tubes, Rods or Profiles Without Essentially Removing Material; Punching MetalWorking or Processing of Sheet Metal or Metal Tubes, Rods or Profiles Without Essentially Removing Material; Punching Metal351,00753.1%
2B21C, Manufacture of Metal Sheets, Wire, Rods, Tubes, Profiles or Like Semi-Manufactured Products Otherwise Than by Rolling; Auxiliary Operations Used in Connection With Metal-Working Without Essentially Removing MaterialManufacture of Metal Sheets, Wire, Rods, Tubes, Profiles or Like Semi-Manufactured Products Otherwise Than by Rolling; Auxiliary Operations Used in Connection With Metal-Working Without Essentially Removing Material84,26912.8%
3B21B, Rolling of MetalRolling of Metal71,90610.9%
4B21F, Working or Processing of Metal WireWorking or Processing of Metal Wire67,22910.2%
5B21J, Forging; Hammering; Pressing Metal; Riveting; Forge FurnacesForging; Hammering; Pressing Metal; Riveting; Forge Furnaces53,8838.2%
6B21K, Making Forged or Pressed Metal Products, e.g. Horse-Shoes, Rivets, Bolts or WheelsMaking Forged or Pressed Metal Products, e.g. Horse-Shoes, Rivets, Bolts or Wheels18,7662.8%
7B21H, Making Particular Metal Objects by Rolling, e.g. Screws, Wheels, Rings, Barrels, BallsMaking Particular Metal Objects by Rolling, e.g. Screws, Wheels, Rings, Barrels, Balls9,2231.4%
8B21L, Making Metal ChainsMaking Metal Chains2,4340.4%
9B21G, Making Needles, Pins or Nails of MetalMaking Needles, Pins or Nails of Metal1,7020.3%

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Related Keywords

making or repairing LINK(S) of chainsMACHINE(S) toolsmachining operations on METAL(S), or mechanical treatment of METAL(S) (working METAL(S))making METAL(S) articlesROLLING metalWORKING any substance by process applicable to metalWORKING metal

9 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

Navigate with arrow keys, Enter to open

Top Applicants

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

  1. JFE STEEL 2,318
  2. JFE STEEL JP 2,294
  3. POSCO (POHANG IRON AND STEEL COMPANY) KR 2,083
  4. NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION JP 1,650
  5. NSSMC (NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL) JP 1,631
  6. SMS GROUP DE 1,472
  7. BAOSHAN IRON & STEEL COMPANY 1,181
  8. SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) 1,079
  9. ANHUI JIANGHUAI AUTOMOBILE 984
  10. HYUNDAI STEEL COMPANY KR 980