C06 EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
Classification Context
- Section:
- CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- Class:
- EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
Description
C06 covers the chemistry, manufacture, and composition of explosives, propellants, pyrotechnic compositions, and matches. This includes gunpowder, dynamite, detonators, fuses, and various chemically-reactive substances designed for controlled or uncontrolled rapid energy release. The class encompasses manufacturing methods, safety devices, and ignition systems for these materials, as well as the chemical formulations and stabilization techniques used in their production. Matches and related friction-ignition devices are included as a distinct but related application area.
Filing statistics
IPC C06 recorded 12,241 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 4 subclasses. Annual filings grew from 1,048 in 2013 to 1,109 in 2023 (+6%), peaking at 1,341 applications in 2019. The most active applicants in class C06 are XIAN MODERN CHEMISTRY RESEARCH INSTITUTE (390 applications), BEIJING INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (338 applications) and INST. OF CHEMICAL MATERIAL, CHINA ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING PHYSICS (275 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
4 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- C06B EXPLOSIVE OR THERMIC COMPOSITIONS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS EXPLOSIVES
- C06C DETONATING OR PRIMING DEVICES; FUSES; CHEMICAL LIGHTERS; PYROPHORIC COMPOSITIONS
- C06D MEANS FOR GENERATING SMOKE OR MIST; GAS-ATTACK COMPOSITIONS; GENERATION OF GAS FOR BLASTING OR PROPULSION (CHEMICAL PART)
- C06F MATCHES; MANUFACTURE OF MATCHES
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filings, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- XIAN MODERN CHEMISTRY RESEARCH INSTITUTE 390
- BEIJING INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY 338
- INST. OF CHEMICAL MATERIAL, CHINA ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING PHYSICS 275
- HUBEI INSTITUTE OF AEROSPACE CHEMOTECHNOLOGY 232
- NANJING UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 176
- AGENCY FOR DEFENSE DEVELOPMENT KR 112
- NORTH UNIVERSITY OF CHINA 91
- DYNO NOBEL ASIA PACIFIC AU 91
- NANJING UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 86
- BAE SYSTEMS GB 84