Lithium-Ion Battery Electrolyte Patent Landscape 2026
Lithium-Ion Battery Electrolyte Patent Landscape in 2026
The lithium-ion battery electrolyte field is in a Growth stage, with the three-year recent window running 23% ahead of the prior period, though annual filings peaked in 2023 and have since eased. Sila Nanotechnologies leads the ranking with strong momentum, while China dominates jurisdiction filings and a mix of US start-ups, Chinese material specialists, and university labs constitute the competitive field.
Sila Nanotechnologies leads a fragmented but concentrated top tier
Sila Nanotechnologies ranks first with 148 patent families, followed by A123 Systems (113) and 24M Technologies (79). The top five filers together account for 21% of the combined total across the hundred largest filers, indicating a moderately concentrated leading tier over a broad and active competitive field.
A clear gap separates the top two applicants from the rest of the top ten, where counts range from 79 down to 45 patent families. Below rank ten, the field becomes considerably more fragmented, with over a dozen entities in the 30–45 family range.
| # | Applicant | Patent families | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sila Nanotechnologies Inc | 148 | |
| 2 | A123 Systems LLC | 113 | |
| 3 | 24M Technologies Inc | 79 | |
| 4 | Shanshan Advanced Materials (Quzhou) Co Ltd | 74 | |
| 5 | Shenzhen Capchem Technology Co Ltd | 72 | |
| 6 | Hefei Guoxuan High-Tech Power Energy Co Ltd | 66 | |
| 7 | Zhangjiagang Guotai Huarong New Chemical Materials Co Ltd | 58 | |
| 8 | William Marsh Rice University | 57 | |
| 9 | Guangzhou Tinci Materials Technology Co Ltd | 54 | |
| 10 | Envision Dynamics Technology (Jiangsu) Co Ltd | 45 |
| # | Applicant | Patent families | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | BYD Co Ltd | 44 | |
| 12 | Syensqo SA | 44 | |
| 13 | Envision Ruitai Dynamics Technology (Shanghai) Co Ltd | 43 | |
| 14 | Contemporary Amperex Technology (Hong Kong) Limited | 43 | |
| 15 | Sionic Energy Inc | 41 | |
| 16 | Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd | 41 | |
| 17 | Zhuhai Smoothway Electronic Materials Co Ltd | 38 | |
| 18 | Sinochem Lantian Co Ltd | 36 | |
| 19 | Dongguan Shanshan Battery Materials Co Ltd | 32 | |
| 20 | Solvay SA | 30 |
The leaders’ positions reflect divergent strategies: US-based deep-tech start-ups (Sila Nanotechnologies, A123 Systems, 24M Technologies) dominate by family count, while Chinese material and cell manufacturers occupy ranks four through ten, signalling parallel innovation tracks in advanced anode/electrolyte chemistry versus volume-oriented cell engineering.
Filings from 2024 onward are subject to publication lag and will appear higher once records are fully published; counts for those years should be treated as minimums. Longer-window growth, applicant concentration, and technology-route coverage are therefore more reliable signals than the latest-year bar alone.
Multi-year growth with a 2023 peak and heavy H01M concentration
The filing trend and technology composition charts together reveal a field that expanded steadily from 2017 to 2023 and is now consolidating, while remaining overwhelmingly focused on core battery cell and fuel cell classification (H01M).
Annual filing trend
Annual filings grew from 272 in 2017 to a peak of 353 in 2023, then registered 310 in 2024. The 2025 and 2026 figures (218 and 11 respectively) are heavily understated due to publication lag and should not be read as real declines. The overall recent-window growth of 23% confirms the field remains in expansion on a multi-year basis.
↗ Hover for values · click a bar to ask EurekaTechnology composition
H01M (Batteries, cells and fuel cells) dominates the IPC distribution by a wide margin. Adjacent classes — including C01B (non-metallic elements and inorganic compounds), H01G (capacitors), C07F (organo-metallic compounds), and C07D (heterocyclic compounds) — each hold single-digit shares, confirming that activity outside core battery classification is sparse relative to the primary branch.
↗ 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.
Waste lithium ion battery electrolyte solution rec…
The present application relates to the field of lithium ion batteries, and in particular, to a waste lithium ion battery electrolyte solution recycling method and apparatus, an electronic device and a computer readable storage medium. The waste lithium ion battery electrolyte solution recycling method includes the steps of: crushing a waste lithium ion… (excerpt from the patent abstract)
| # | Patent | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | High energy density redox flow device | 457 |
| 2 | Carbon fibers formed from single-wall carbon nanot… | 456 |
| 3 | Carbon fibers formed from single-wall carbon nanot… | 405 |
| 4 | High energy density redox flow device | 343 |
| 5 | Methods for producing composites of single-wall ca… | 271 |
| 6 | High performance batteries with carbon nanomateria… | 251 |
| 7 | Method for growing continuous fiber | 249 |
| 8 | High energy density redox flow device | 236 |
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 competitive structure means for R&D allocation
Four structural dimensions — maturity, concentration, collaboration networks, and geography — each carry distinct implications for where new entrants or incumbents can most efficiently deploy R&D resources.
Growth stage, past the 2023 annual peak
The field carries a Growth lifecycle designation: the most recent three-year window sits 23% above the prior three-year period. However, annual volume peaked in 2023 at 353 patent families and has eased since. This past-peak-but-still-expanding profile means the field rewards differentiated chemistry rather than volume filing, and that white-space niches remain open before the field matures further.
Growth · past 2023 peakModerate top-tier concentration, fragmented mid-tier
The top five filers hold 21% of the hundred largest filers’ combined total, with Sila Nanotechnologies holding a 148-family lead over the second-ranked A123 Systems at 113. The mid-tier (ranks 6–20) is tightly packed in the 30–66 family range, meaning a sustained filing campaign of 30–50 families in a focused sub-area could place a new entrant within the visible competitive set. No single player has monopolistic control.
Moderate concentrationCo-filing clusters around material suppliers and recyclers
The most active co-filing pair is Shanshan Advanced Materials (Quzhou) with Dongguan Shanshan Battery Materials at 13 joint families, reflecting intra-group coordination. Li Cycle Corp and 1001297676 Ontario Inc filed 12 joint families, indicating a recycling-oriented collaboration. 24M Technologies has co-filed with both Kyocera (3 families) and MIT (2 families), linking cell architecture innovation to both manufacturing and academic research. Sila Nanotechnologies has filed jointly with Battelle Memorial Institute and Georgia Tech Research Corporation, anchoring its network in US national-lab and university partnerships.
Supply-chain and lab clustersChina dominant; US and Europe are secondary but significant
China leads jurisdiction filings by a substantial margin, followed by the United States and Europe (EPO). PCT filings indicate applicants with international prosecution strategies. Germany, India, and Canada appear as secondary national filings. South Korea and Japan — home to major cell manufacturers — show relatively low counts in this corpus, suggesting either distinct filing strategies or gaps that could be exploited by incumbents seeking broader protection in those markets.
China-led, global reachGo 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Shanshan Advanced Materials (Quzhou) Co Ltd | Dongguan Shanshan Battery Materials Co Ltd | 13 |
| Li-Cycle Corp | 1001297676 Ontario Inc | 12 |
| 24M Technologies Inc | Kyocera Corporation | 3 |
| Zhangjiagang Guotai Huarong New Chemical Materials Co Ltd | Light Industry Chemical Power Sources Research Institute | 3 |
| 24M Technologies Inc | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 2 |
| Sila Nanotechnologies Inc | Battelle Memorial Institute | 1 |
| Sila Nanotechnologies Inc | Georgia Tech Research Corporation | 1 |
| A123 Systems LLC | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 1 |
Co-filing pairs, ranked by the number of jointly-filed patent families.
Sila Nanotechnologies accelerates; 24M Technologies pulls back
The top two players by family count pursue distinct technology emphases and show diverging recent-period momentum, creating a shifting competitive order at the top of the field.
Sila Nanotechnologies Inc
Sila Nanotechnologies holds 148 patent families, the largest portfolio in the corpus, concentrated heavily in H01M 4 (electrode materials) and H01M 10 (secondary cells), with 119 and 110 records in those sub-classes respectively. Recent-period momentum is strongly positive at +71% versus the prior window, making it the most actively growing leader. Co-filing relationships with Battelle Memorial Institute and Georgia Tech Research Corporation reinforce its US research-ecosystem positioning.
families: 148A123 Systems LLC
A123 Systems ranks second with 113 patent families, focused on H01M 4 (94 records) and H01M 10 (81 records), with a notable presence in C01B 25 (phosphate-based inorganic compounds, 25 records) that differentiates it from the leader. Momentum data for A123 Systems is not broken out in the recent-trend evidence; its technology emphasis on phosphate chemistry alongside mainstream cell classes suggests a specialised materials angle. A co-filing with MIT (1 family) links it to academic research.
families: 113| Applicant | Recent (3 yrs) | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Sila Nanotechnologies Inc | 60 | ▲ +71% |
| 24M Technologies Inc | 10 | ▼ -64% |
| Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd | 10 | ▼ -58% |
| Shenzhen Capchem Technology Co Ltd | 8 | ▲ new entrant |
| Hefei Guoxuan High-Tech Power Energy Co Ltd | 20 | ▬ 0% |
| Li-Cycle Corp | 6 | ▼ -70% |
| Shanshan Advanced Materials (Quzhou) Co Ltd | 13 | ▼ -65% |
| Zhangjiagang Guotai Huarong New Chemical Materials Co Ltd | 14 | ▲ new entrant |
Under-served branches adjacent to core battery classification
Several IPC classes appear in the corpus at low share relative to the dominant H01M branch. These observations reflect relative sparsity and are noted here for technical context; they represent potential entry points only where sparsity coincides with plausible technical value and a realistic development path.
C07F · Organo-metallic and non-carbon compounds
With 128 patent records and a 2% share of the IPC distribution, organo-metallic electrolyte salt chemistry is the sparsest of the clearly electrolyte-relevant adjacent classes. Electrolyte salt design (e.g. lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide analogues, phosphazene derivatives) sits directly at the intersection of C07F and H01M, yet coverage here is thin relative to the core cell class. Entrants with synthetic chemistry capability could stake foundational positions in next-generation salt structures before the sub-field densifies.
Search this in Eureka →C07D · Heterocyclic compounds
Heterocyclic compounds account for 86 patent records and a 2% share, covering cyclic carbonate solvents and additive molecules central to electrolyte formulation stability. Despite their direct relevance to solid-electrolyte interphase engineering and high-voltage additive chemistry, coverage in this branch trails far behind H01M. Applicants already active in H01M 10 electrolyte formulation could extend into C07D to secure upstream molecular-level protection around novel additive scaffolds.
Search this in Eureka →How leaders differ by technology route
Strength of each leader across the main technology routes.
| Player | H01M 10 · Batteries, cells & fuel cells | H01M 4 · Batteries, cells & fuel cells | H01M 50 · Batteries, cells & fuel cells | H01M 2 · Batteries, cells & fuel cells | H01G 11 · Capacitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sila Nanotechnologies Inc | Strong · 110 | Strong · 119 | Emerging · 19 | Emerging · 4 | Emerging · 15 |
| A123 Systems LLC | Strong · 81 | Strong · 94 | Emerging · 13 | Emerging · 15 | Absent |
| 24M Technologies Inc | Strong · 54 | Strong · 73 | Absent | Absent | Emerging · 3 |
| Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd | Strong · 62 | Strong · 39 | Absent | Absent | Absent |
| Shenzhen Capchem Technology Co Ltd | Strong · 71 | Moderate · 23 | Absent | Absent | Absent |
| Hefei Guoxuan High-Tech Power Energy Co Ltd | Strong · 66 | Absent | Absent | Absent | Absent |
| Li-Cycle Corp | Strong · 58 | Absent | Absent | Absent | Absent |
Frequently asked questions
The corpus encompasses 2,507 patent families. This total covers global filings tracked within the analysis scope and forms the basis for applicant rankings, trend analysis, and technology composition breakdowns.
Sila Nanotechnologies Inc leads with 148 patent families, ahead of A123 Systems LLC at 113 and 24M Technologies Inc at 79. Sila Nanotechnologies also shows the strongest recent momentum among tracked leaders, at +71% in recent filings versus the prior period.
The field carries a Growth lifecycle designation based on recent three-year filings running 23% above the prior three-year window. Annual volume peaked in 2023 at 353 patent families and has eased since; 2024–2026 figures are further reduced by publication lag and should not be read as a real contraction.
China receives the largest volume of filings, followed by the United States and Europe (EPO). PCT filings represent applicants pursuing international coverage. Germany, India, and Canada are notable secondary national destinations. South Korea and Japan show comparatively low counts in this corpus.
H01M (batteries, cells and fuel cells) is overwhelmingly dominant. Adjacent branches include C01B (non-metallic elements and inorganic compounds), H01G (capacitors), C07F (organo-metallic and non-carbon compounds), C07D (heterocyclic compounds), and B01J (chemical and physical processes and catalysis), each at a small share relative to H01M.
The most active co-filing pair is Shanshan Advanced Materials (Quzhou) with Dongguan Shanshan Battery Materials at 13 joint families. Li Cycle Corp and 1001297676 Ontario Inc filed 12 joint families. 24M Technologies has co-filed with Kyocera (3 families) and MIT (2 families). Sila Nanotechnologies has joint filings with Battelle Memorial Institute and Georgia Tech Research Corporation.
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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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