Technology Topic
Hydrogen Technology Patent Classification
Hydrogen technology spreads over three subclasses along its value chain. Production of hydrogen as a chemical compound classifies in C01B, the non-metallic-elements subclass.
Electrolysers, the core of green hydrogen, sit in C25B for electrolytic processes. Storage and transport of the compressed or liquefied gas classify in F17C. Fuel cells that turn hydrogen back into power belong to H01M on the battery side.
The classification codes that matter
NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF
Non-metallic elements and their compounds: hydrogen production processes classify here.
2018 → 2023: 23,104 → 29,649 filings (+28 %)
ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON- METALS;…
Electrolytic processes: electrolysers for hydrogen production, the green-hydrogen core.
2018 → 2023: 5,068 → 13,241 filings (+161 %)
VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES;…
Pressure vessels: storage and transport of compressed or liquefied hydrogen.
2018 → 2023: 6,071 → 9,821 filings (+62 %)
Who files here: top applicants
- 1 CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 7,591
- 2 SINOPEC (CHINA PETROCHEMICAL CORPORATION) 3,952
- 3 LG CHEM (KR) 2,689
- 4 CENTRAL SOUTH UNIVERSITY 2,181
- 5 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (JP) 2,096
IPC filings 2013–2023, aggregated across the codes above. Source: EPO PATSTAT.
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