Graphene Materials Patent Landscape 2026
Graphene Materials Patent Landscape in 2026
The graphene materials field spans 13,731 patent families and is past its 2018 peak, with annual volumes easing steadily since then. LG Energy Solution leads the ranking, but the field remains fragmented across energy-storage companies, universities, and specialty chemical players across multiple continents.
LG Energy Solution leads a fragmented, multi-tier field
LG Energy Solution holds the top position with 421 patent families, followed by Zhejiang University (333), Samsung Electronics (310), the Regents of the University of California (301), and William Marsh Rice University (281). The top five collectively represent 13% of the hundred largest filers’ combined total, signaling that no single organization dominates the space.
The narrow concentration gap between the leader and the next tier—fewer than 90 patent families separating ranks one through five—confirms a fragmented structure rather than a winner-take-all dynamic. Significant public-research institutions (Zhejiang University, University of California, Rice University, Tsinghua, Peking University) sit alongside industrial players at every tier level.
| # | Applicant | Patent families | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LG Energy Solution Ltd | 421 | |
| 2 | Zhejiang University | 333 | |
| 3 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | 310 | |
| 4 | Regents of the University of California | 301 | |
| 5 | William Marsh Rice University | 281 | |
| 6 | Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. | 270 | |
| 7 | LG Chem Ltd | 266 | |
| 8 | Tsinghua University | 238 | |
| 9 | OCEANS KING LIGHTING SCI&TECH CO LTD | 237 | |
| 10 | Commissariat à l’Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA) | 227 |
| # | Applicant | Patent families | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. | 226 | |
| 12 | Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) | 222 | |
| 13 | Shenzhen Oceans King Lighting Technology Co., Ltd. | 221 | |
| 14 | Toray Industries, Inc. | 196 | |
| 15 | C2CNT LLC | 188 | |
| 16 | Paragraf Ltd | 178 | |
| 17 | Harbin Institute of Technology | 177 | |
| 18 | Peking University | 174 | |
| 19 | ArcelorMittal SA | 172 | |
| 20 | Tianjin University | 170 |
LG Energy Solution’s and LG Chem’s combined presence at the top of the ranking signals that battery and energy-storage applications have become the primary commercial pull for graphene IP, displacing an earlier era of foundational materials research as the primary driver of new filings.
The most recent 18–24 months of filing data are subject to publication lag and will undercount actual activity; absolute figures for 2024–2026 should be treated as provisional. Longer-window growth, applicant concentration, and technology-route coverage are therefore more reliable signals than the latest-year bar alone.
Filing volume has eased from its 2018 peak; energy storage dominates the technology mix
The annual trend chart reveals a field that crested in 2018 and has declined on a multi-year basis, while the technology composition chart shows that non-metallic elements and inorganic compounds (C01B) and nanotechnology applications (B82Y) anchor the portfolio, with batteries and fuel cells (H01M) as the leading applied-use branch.
Annual filing trend
Annual filings peaked in 2018 at 1,872 and have declined each subsequent year through 2022, with figures from 2023 onward reflecting both genuine easing and publication lag—2024 and 2025 data are materially undercounted and should not be read as further decline.
↗ Hover for values · click a bar to ask EurekaTechnology composition
C01B (non-metallic elements and inorganic compounds) and B82Y (nanotechnology applications) collectively account for the largest share of IPC classifications, reflecting the field’s foundational materials science base. H01M (batteries, cells, and fuel cells) is the highest-volume applied branch, consistent with the energy-storage leadership seen in the applicant ranking.
↗ Hover for values · click a bar to ask EurekaFoundational and most-cited patents
The most-cited families that anchor this space. Hover a row and click to open it in Eureka.
Independent free-standing graphene film and method…
Proposed is a method of preparing an independent free-standing graphene film. The graphene film is obtained by means of suction filtration of graphene oxide into a film, solid phase transfer, chemical reduction and the like steps. The graphene film is formed by means of physical cross-linking of a single layer of oxidized/reduced graphene oxide. The… (excerpt from the patent abstract)
| # | Patent | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Non-Thermal Micro-Plasma Conversion of Hydrocarbons | 414 |
| 2 | Nanofluids and Methods of Use for Drilling and Com… | 357 |
| 3 | Enhanced surfaces, coatings, and related methods | 352 |
| 4 | Apparatus and method for molecular separation, pur… | 351 |
| 5 | Film on Graphene on a Substrate and Method and Dev… | 344 |
| 6 | High energy density redox flow device | 343 |
| 7 | Nanostructure-based high energy capacity material | 301 |
| 8 | Solvent-free process based graphene electrode for … | 279 |
Ranked by total forward citations. Citation counts accrue over time, so this list favours older, broadly-cited patents and may include general-purpose work beyond the specific topic; treat it as foundational context rather than a current-activity ranking.
What the competitive structure means for R&D investment decisions
Three structural features shape the investment calculus: a past-peak activity cycle, moderate concentration with a strong university presence, and an active cross-sector collaboration network. Geography adds a further layer, with the United States as the dominant protection venue.
Field is in decline from its 2018 peak
Annual filing volume peaked in 2018 and has eased back since, placing graphene materials in the decline stage of its IP cycle. This does not preclude application-specific growth—energy storage and semiconductor sub-segments continue to attract filings—but it does indicate that broad foundational graphene patents are increasingly mature territory. New entrants should focus on differentiated application layers rather than competing in crowded synthesis and fabrication claims.
Lifecycle: DeclineFragmented top tier creates competitive room
The top five filers hold 13% of the hundred largest filers’ combined total, a low concentration figure for a technology at this stage. The presence of multiple well-funded universities (Zhejiang, UC system, Rice, Tsinghua, Peking) alongside industrial leaders means that licensing and collaboration pathways are available as alternatives to organic IP building. The tier gap between rank one (421 patent families) and rank five (281 patent families) is narrow enough that a focused program could enter the top tier.
Concentration: LowUniversity-industry pairs dominate co-filing activity
The most active co-filing pair is William Marsh Rice University and BG Negev Technologies and Applications, with 15 jointly filed patent families. Sekisui Chemical is the most prolific multi-partner collaborator, maintaining active co-filing relationships with Oita University (12), Hiroshima University (8), Kumamoto University (8), and Niigata University (8) simultaneously. The Regents of the University of California co-file with MIT (8), Spinaker BioSciences (8), and Northwestern University (7), suggesting a dense West Coast–to–East Coast academic network. These pairings offer ready-made entry points for licensing or joint-development agreements.
Collaboration: ActiveUS dominates; EPO and PCT are the key international routes
The United States is the leading protection jurisdiction by a wide margin, followed by Europe (EPO) and WIPO (PCT) as the primary routes for international coverage. China and India represent meaningful secondary filing venues. Japan and South Korea, despite hosting major corporate filers (Samsung, Sekisui, Toray), show comparatively lower domestic filing counts at the patent-record level, suggesting that some applicants route coverage through US and EPO rather than home offices.
Geography: US-ledGo 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 |
|---|---|---|
| William Marsh Rice University | BG Negev Technologies and Applications Ltd | 15 |
| Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. | Oita University | 12 |
| Regents of the University of California | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 8 |
| Regents of the University of California | Spinaker BioSciences, Inc. | 8 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Spinaker BioSciences, Inc. | 8 |
| Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. | Hiroshima University | 8 |
| Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. | Kumamoto University | 8 |
| Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. | Niigata University | 8 |
| Regents of the University of California | Northwestern University | 7 |
| LG Chem Ltd | Seoul National University R&DB Foundation | 6 |
Co-filing pairs, ranked by the number of jointly-filed patent families.
LG Energy Solution and Zhejiang University lead distinct industrial and academic tracks
The top of the ranking splits cleanly between energy-storage-focused industrial players and broad-base academic institutions. Momentum data show that most established leaders are filing at lower rates than their prior periods, consistent with the field’s past-peak lifecycle stage.
LG Energy Solution
LG Energy Solution holds 421 patent families, the highest count in the ranking. Its technology emphasis sits squarely in batteries and fuel cells (H01M 4 and H01M 10) alongside graphene synthesis (C01B 32), reflecting a clear application pull toward next-generation battery electrode materials. LG Chem (266 patent families, rank 7) shares a similar energy-storage focus, and their combined portfolio makes the LG group the largest industrial bloc in the field. Momentum data for LG Chem show a sharp recent-period reduction (▼ -80%), consistent with the broader field’s decline phase.
families: 421Zhejiang University
Zhejiang University ranks second with 333 patent families, making it the leading academic filer and the highest-ranked Chinese institution. Its broad materials-science output spans synthesis, nanotechnology applications, and applied subfields, positioning it as a key licensing and collaboration target for industrial players seeking academic graphene IP in the Chinese research ecosystem. No momentum data are available in the evidence for Zhejiang University’s recent filing trajectory.
families: 333| Applicant | Recent (3 yrs) | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Regents of the University of California | 30 | ▼ -29% |
| LG Chem Ltd | 9 | ▼ -80% |
| William Marsh Rice University | 31 | ▼ -35% |
| Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | 17 | ▼ -63% |
| ArcelorMittal SA | 5 | ▼ -95% |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 19 | ▼ -37% |
| Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. | 9 | ▼ -82% |
| Northwestern University | 20 | ▼ -53% |
Under-served adjacent branches worth monitoring
Five IPC branches show non-trivial filing counts relative to the dominant C01B and B82Y classes but represent lower shares of the overall portfolio, suggesting areas where graphene IP is present but not yet deeply developed. Two are highlighted below as having plausible technical value and a realistic entry path.
C08K · Use of additives in polymers
With a lower share of the portfolio relative to the dominant synthesis branches, graphene-as-polymer-additive (C08K) remains an adjacent branch despite graphene’s well-established mechanical and barrier-property benefits in composite materials. The technical path is clear—graphene nanoplatelets and functionalized graphene oxide as filler systems are validated at lab scale—and the industrial demand for lighter, stronger polymer composites in automotive and aerospace is growing. Entry could target functionalized graphene dispersions with defined particle-size specs that meet polymer-processing requirements, an area where IP density is lower than in synthesis.
Search this in Eureka →B01D · Separation processes (filtration)
Graphene oxide membranes for water treatment and gas separation appear in the B01D branch, which carries a comparatively low share of the portfolio despite active academic literature and growing regulatory pressure on water quality worldwide. The technical value proposition—angstrom-scale selectivity, anti-fouling surfaces, and chemical stability—is well-supported by published research. The entry path involves translating laboratory membrane performance into scalable coating or lamination processes, an area where industrial IP remains sparse relative to the academic foundation.
Search this in Eureka →How leaders differ by technology route
Strength of each leader across the main technology routes.
| Player | C01B 32 · Non-metallic elements & inorganic compounds | B82Y 30 · Nanotechnology applications | B82Y 40 · Nanotechnology applications | H01M 4 · Batteries, cells & fuel cells | H01M 10 · Batteries, cells & fuel cells |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG Chem Ltd | Strong · 201 | Absent | Emerging · 35 | Moderate · 98 | Moderate · 84 |
| Regents of the University of California | Strong · 171 | Moderate · 79 | Moderate · 55 | Moderate · 42 | Absent |
| Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Strong · 100 | Strong · 133 | Strong · 84 | Absent | Absent |
| Nanotek Instruments, Inc. | Strong · 140 | Absent | Moderate · 37 | Moderate · 48 | Moderate · 33 |
| William Marsh Rice University | Strong · 176 | Absent | Moderate · 41 | Absent | Absent |
| Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. | Absent | Absent | Absent | Strong · 96 | Strong · 71 |
| LG Energy Solution Ltd | Absent | Absent | Absent | Strong · 90 | Strong · 76 |
Frequently asked questions
The analysis covers 13,731 patent families filed globally. The most recent 18–24 months of data are subject to publication lag and will undercount actual activity.
LG Energy Solution leads the ranking with 421 patent families, followed by Zhejiang University (333), Samsung Electronics (310), the Regents of the University of California (301), and William Marsh Rice University (281).
No. Annual filings peaked in 2018 at 1,872 and have eased back each year since. The lifecycle evidence places the field in a decline stage, meaning the pace of new foundational filings has slowed materially from its peak.
The United States is the dominant protection venue, followed by Europe (EPO) and WIPO (PCT) as the main international routes. China and India are significant secondary jurisdictions.
Non-metallic elements and inorganic compounds (C01B) and nanotechnology applications (B82Y) are the highest-volume IPC branches, reflecting the field’s synthesis and characterization foundation. Batteries, cells, and fuel cells (H01M) is the leading applied-use branch, consistent with the energy-storage focus of the top industrial filers.
William Marsh Rice University and BG Negev Technologies and Applications are the most active co-filing pair with 15 jointly filed patent families. Sekisui Chemical is the most prolific multi-partner collaborator, co-filing with Oita University, Hiroshima University, Kumamoto University, and Niigata University. The Regents of the University of California maintain active co-filing relationships with MIT, Spinaker BioSciences, and Northwestern University.
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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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