Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite Reinforcement Patents
Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite Reinforcement Patent Landscape in 2026
The Boeing Company leads a moderately concentrated field where aerospace OEMs and academic research foundations share the top tier, with the five largest filers holding 29% of activity among the hundred largest filers. The field is still expanding on a multi-year basis, though annual volume has eased from its 2022 peak and the most recent filing years carry expected publication lag.
Boeing leads, but universities collectively rival the industrial tier
The Boeing Company is the clear individual frontrunner with 10 patent records, nearly double the next tier of organizations, each holding 4 patent records: the U. S. Government, Florida State University Research Foundation, and Indian Institute of Technology Bombay.
The top five filers account for 29% of the hundred largest filers’ combined total, indicating moderate concentration — no single entity dominates the way incumbents often do in more mature, industrialized fields. The second tier is populated almost entirely by university research foundations and government laboratories rather than large industrial companies, which is atypical and signals that this application area remains partly in a pre-commercialization phase.
| # | Applicant | Patent records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Boeing Company | 10 | |
| 2 | The Government of the United States of America | 4 | |
| 3 | Florida State University Research Foundation | 4 | |
| 4 | Indian Institute of Technology Bombay | 4 | |
| 5 | University of Tennessee Research Foundation | 3 | |
| 6 | University of Cincinnati | 3 | |
| 7 | Airbus Operations SL | 3 | |
| 8 | Kansas State University Research Foundation | 3 | |
| 9 | Airbus SAS | 2 | |
| 10 | SHAANXI UNIV OF SCI & TECH | 2 |
| # | Applicant | Patent records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Mercedes-Benz Group AG | 2 | |
| 12 | Korea Institute of Materials Science | 2 | |
| 13 | Crompton Technology Group | 2 | |
| 14 | Andhra University | 2 | |
| 15 | HUAZHONG UNIV OF SCI & TECH | 2 | |
| 16 | Indian Institute of Science | 2 | |
| 17 | Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH | 2 | |
| 18 | Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences | 2 | |
| 19 | Georgia Tech Research Corporation | 2 | |
| 20 | Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC | 2 |
Boeing’s position is reinforced by its dual focus on composite shaping processes and direct aerospace structural applications, giving it both upstream manufacturing IP and downstream airframe-level coverage. The gap between Boeing and the university tier suggests the industrial pipeline ahead of commercialization is still thinly covered.
Filing counts for 2024 and 2025 are understated due to standard patent publication lag of 18–24 months; the apparent softening at the tail of the trend should not be read as a real decline. Longer-window growth, applicant concentration, and technology-route coverage are therefore more reliable signals than the latest-year bar alone.
A 2022 activity spike and a plastics-shaping-dominated technology mix
Annual filing activity and the IPC technology breakdown together reveal both the pace of innovation and the process-versus-application balance in this field.
Annual filing trend
Filings rose from a low of 2 records in 2018 to a peak of 12 in 2022, then eased to 8 in 2023. The three-year recent window is 35% above the prior three-year window, confirming net growth on a multi-year basis. Values for 2024 and 2025 are understated by publication lag and should not be interpreted as a real downturn.
↗ Hover for values · click a bar to ask EurekaTechnology composition
B29C (Shaping of plastics) is the dominant branch by a wide margin, reflecting emphasis on manufacturing process IP — layup, molding, and forming. C08J (Polymer processing and solutions) and C08K/C08L (Additive and composition IP) form a secondary cluster. Aerospace application branches B64C and B64D are present but smaller, and the appearance of B33Y (additive manufacturing / 3D printing) and B82Y (nanotechnology) signals emerging adjacent directions.
↗ Hover for values · click a bar to ask EurekaHighly cited patent families surfaced by the query
Citation-heavy patent families returned by the query. Use this section as citation context, not as a curated list of the most topic-specific patents.
Continuous molded carbon fiber reinforced polymer …
A method and apparatus for forming a continuously molded carbon fiber reinforced polymer slender curved frame. A continuous supply of uncured carbon fiber reinforced polymer material is directed into a forming tool. The uncured carbon fiber reinforced polymer material is continuously molded into a desired shape in the forming tool. The carbon fiber… (excerpt from the patent abstract)
| # | Patent | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Light-weight vehicle wheels with carbon fiber inse… | 51 |
| 2 | Large scale room temperature polymer advanced manu… | 36 |
| 3 | Hybrid multifunctional composite material and meth… | 26 |
| 4 | 碳纤维增强聚合物基自润滑材料及其制备方法 | 19 |
| 5 | Planked stringers that provide structural support … | 13 |
| 6 | 一种碳纤维增强高分子基复合材料的制备方法及应用 | 13 |
| 7 | Method for manufacturing form-stable fiber reinfor… | 8 |
| 8 | Automated Wave Guide System for In-Process Monitor… | 6 |
Ranked by total forward citations. Citation counts favour older and broadly cited patent families, and broad or adjacent patents may appear when they match the search scope. Treat this section as citation context, not as a curated list of the most topic-specific patents. Some patent titles may be shown in their original, non-English language where an accurate translation could not be guaranteed.
What the structure means for R&D investment decisions
Four structural signals — maturity, concentration, collaboration, and geographic coverage — each carry distinct implications for where to direct resources.
Growth stage with annual volume easing from its 2022 peak
The lifecycle evidence places this field in a Growth stage: the recent three-year filing window is 35% above the prior three-year window, confirming net expansion. However, annual volume has eased from the 2022 high, suggesting the field is maturing within the growth phase rather than accelerating. Entrants who move now can still stake positions before the field consolidates further.
Lifecycle: GrowthModerate concentration with a thin industrial pipeline
The top five filers hold 29% of the hundred largest filers’ combined total — moderate, not dominant. Crucially, the second tier is almost entirely composed of university research foundations and government labs rather than industrial OEMs. This leaves a visible gap between frontier research and commercial manufacturing IP that an industrial entrant could address strategically.
Moderate concentrationUniversity-government co-filing is the primary collaboration pattern
The most active co-filing pair is the University of Cincinnati and Kansas State University Research Foundation, with 3 joint filings. Florida State University Research Foundation co-filed with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory on 2 occasions, and separately with the U.S. Government (HHS) on 2 further filings. These patterns indicate that collaborative activity is concentrated in the academic-government axis rather than between industry partners.
Academic-gov axisU.S. leads, with China, India, and South Korea forming a competitive second tier
The United States is the leading jurisdiction with 25 patent records. China holds 14, and India and South Korea are tied at 10 each. WIPO PCT filings stand at 6, indicating some international protection-seeking activity. European coverage through the EPO is relatively thin at 3 records, suggesting Europe is not yet a primary filing destination despite the presence of Airbus-affiliated applicants.
US-led; Asia risingGo beyond the landscape: Eureka’s TRIZ Solution agent breaks down an R&D problem and returns patented concept solutions, each with a technical approach and cited patent & literature evidence.
| Applicant | Collaborator | Co-filings |
|---|---|---|
| University of Cincinnati | Kansas State University Research Foundation | 3 |
| Florida State University Research Foundation | U.S. Naval Research Laboratory | 2 |
| Florida State University Research Foundation | The Government of the United States of America (as represented by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) | 2 |
Co-filing pairs, ranked by the number of jointly-filed patent families.
Boeing leads on aerospace application IP; IIT Bombay emerges as the sharpest new academic entrant
The leader-challenger split in this landscape reflects an unusual dynamic: the industrial leader holds strong aerospace application coverage, while the most notable momentum players are research institutions entering the field for the first time.
The Boeing Company
Boeing’s 10 patent records make it the clear individual leader. Its technology emphasis spans composite shaping (B29C 70) as the primary process route and direct airframe application classes B64C 1 and B64C 3, giving it both process and end-use coverage. Momentum data does not flag Boeing as a new entrant, indicating an established, sustained filing position rather than a recent surge.
patent records: 10Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
IIT Bombay enters the ranking with 4 patent records and is flagged as a new entrant, meaning it had no prior-period filings before the recent window. Its technology focus is centered on C08J 5 (polymer processing and solutions) and B29C 70 (composite shaping), with additional coverage in B32B 37 (layered laminates). As a new entrant at 4 records, it immediately ties with the U.S. Government for the second-largest position.
patent records: 4| Applicant | Recent (3 yrs) | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Technology Bombay | 4 | ▲ new entrant |
| University of Cincinnati | 3 | ▲ new entrant |
| Airbus Operations SL | 3 | ▲ new entrant |
| University of Tennessee Research Foundation | 2 | ▲ new entrant |
| Kansas State University Research Foundation | 3 | ▲ new entrant |
Under-served branches adjacent to the dominant process core
Several IPC branches appear in the corpus at lower relative share alongside the dominant B29C process cluster; these are observations of relative sparsity and are noted for their potential technical relevance rather than as validated commercial opportunities.
B32B · Layered products and laminates
With 17 patent records and a 7% share among the larger filers, layered-product construction is present but comparatively sparse given how central laminate architecture is to CFRP structural performance. The technical value is clear: interlaminar properties, hybrid fiber stacking sequences, and damage-tolerant lay-up designs are central engineering challenges. An entry path exists through laminate-specific interface chemistry or automated lamination process IP, areas not yet densely covered by the current top filers.
Search this in Eureka →B33Y · Additive manufacturing (3D printing) of CFRP
Only 5 patent records touch the additive manufacturing branch, the lowest-density intersection with a technically plausible application area in this corpus. Continuous-fiber 3D printing and short-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic extrusion are active engineering research directions globally, yet they are minimally represented here. The entry path for an R&D team would be process-parameter IP for fiber-reinforced additive deposition or post-processing consolidation, an area where the existing filing density leaves clear room.
Search this in Eureka →How leaders differ by technology route
Strength of each leader across the main technology routes.
| Player | B29C 70 · Shaping of plastics | C08J 5 · Polymer processing & solutions | C08L 63 · Polymer compositions | C08K 7 · Use of additives in polymers | B29L 31 · Plastic products (index) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Boeing Company | Strong · 10 | Absent | Absent | Absent | Moderate · 4 |
| Indian Institute of Technology Bombay | Moderate · 2 | Strong · 4 | Moderate · 2 | Absent | Absent |
| Kansas State University Research Foundation | Strong · 3 | Strong · 3 | Absent | Absent | Absent |
| University of Tennessee Research Foundation | Strong · 3 | Strong · 3 | Absent | Absent | Absent |
| Airbus Operations SL | Strong · 3 | Absent | Absent | Absent | Strong · 3 |
| University of Cincinnati | Strong · 3 | Strong · 3 | Absent | Absent | Absent |
| Indian Institute of Science | Absent | Strong · 2 | Strong · 2 | Strong · 2 | Absent |
Frequently asked questions
The Boeing Company leads with 10 patent records. The next tier — including the U.S. Government, Florida State University Research Foundation, and Indian Institute of Technology Bombay — each hold 4 patent records.
The field is in a Growth lifecycle stage. The most recent three-year filing window is 35% above the prior three-year window on a multi-year basis. Annual volume peaked at 12 records in 2022 and has eased since, but the most recent years (2024–2025) are further understated by patent publication lag of 18–24 months.
The United States leads with 25 patent records, followed by China with 14, and India and South Korea each with 10. WIPO PCT accounts for 6 records. European Patent Office coverage is relatively thin at 3 records.
B29C (Shaping of plastics) is the leading branch, reflecting a strong emphasis on composite manufacturing process IP. C08J (Polymer processing and solutions) and additive and composition branches C08K and C08L form a secondary cluster. Aerospace application branches B64C and B64D are present at lower density.
Yes. The most active co-filing pair is the University of Cincinnati and Kansas State University Research Foundation with 3 joint filings. Florida State University Research Foundation co-filed with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory on 2 occasions and separately with the U.S. Government on 2 further filings. Collaboration is concentrated in the academic-government axis.
Additive manufacturing (B33Y) is the sparsest technically relevant branch with only 5 patent records, despite continuous-fiber 3D printing being an active research direction. Layered products and laminates (B32B) at 17 records is also comparatively sparse given the centrality of laminate architecture to CFRP structural design.
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Disclaimer. This page is generated from PatSnap Eureka data drawn from a limited snapshot of global patent and scientific-literature records, and is provided for general information and reference only.
Patent data carries inherent limitations: recent filings (typically the most recent 18–24 months) are under-counted due to standard publication lag; counts may be reported at either a patent-family or a patent-record basis and are not always directly comparable; classification, applicant-name, and citation data may contain errors, duplicates, or omissions; and the underlying search query defines and constrains the scope shown. As a result, the analysis may be incomplete or inaccurate and may not reflect the full technology landscape.
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