METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS

Description

C22 encompasses the extraction, production, refining, and treatment of ferrous metals (iron and steel), non-ferrous metals (aluminum, copper, zinc, titanium, etc.), and their alloys. This class covers metallurgical processes including smelting, casting, rolling, forging, heat treatment, and surface modifications, as well as the composition design and properties of metal materials. Applications range from structural steels and aerospace alloys to electrical conductors and specialty materials, excluding chemical processes for ore beneficiation (classified under C01) and the use of metals in specific end-products (covered by their respective technical classes such as H01 for electrical components or B21 for metal working machinery).

Filing statistics

IPC C22 recorded 351,484 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 3 subclasses. Annual filings grew from 25,155 in 2013 to 34,915 in 2023 (+39%). The most active applicants in class C22 are JFE STEEL (7,152 applications), NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION (5,416 applications) and POSCO (POHANG IRON AND STEEL COMPANY) (4,530 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings