In a recent study, the European Patent Office (EPO) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) provide an in-depth analysis of global innovation trends in hydrogen industrial sectors over the period 2011-2020. . France appears to be the second biggest European innovator in this field and French research even has the luxury of appearing at the top of the world ranking of public research organisations!
In the press release of January 10, 2023, António Campinos, President of the EPO, affirms that “if hydrogen is to play a major role in reducing CO2 emissions2, there is an urgent need for innovation in a wide range of technologies. »
This 3rd joint AIE/EPO study does so “encouraging transition models appear between countries and industrial sectors, in particular the major contribution of Europe to the emergence of new hydrogen technologies. It also highlights the contribution of startups to innovation in the field of hydrogen, and their use of patents to market their inventions. »
It can be downloaded in its entirety (in English) from the website of the European Patent Office. For those in a hurry, a short illustration video is also available.
Europe and Japan lead the cleantech race
Over the period 2011-2020, international patent applications relating to hydrogen are dominated by the European Union (28%) and Japan (24%), the United States having lost ground (20% deposits).
Within the EU, the undisputed leader is Germany, alone accounting for 11% of the world total, followed by France (6%) and the Netherlands (3%).
Surprisingly, China is only in fifth place, although international patenting activity in this sector is on the rise.
Automotive, chemical industry and research are the main areas concerned
According to the EPO report, the European chemical industry (Linde, Air Liquide, BASF…) dominates innovation in established hydrogen technologies. In addition, its expertise in the field also gives it a head start in “clean” technologies such as electrolysis or fuel cells.[1].
Companies in the automotive sector (particularly Toyota, Honda and Hyundai) are also very active, both in end applications in vehicles and in the storage, distribution and transformation of hydrogen.
Apart from these two sectors, universities and public research institutes also generated 13% of all international hydrogen-related patents between 2011 and 2020, for patents concerning clean production methods such as electrolysis. The study also reveals an interesting fact: France tops this ranking, thanks in particular to the CEA, IFPEN and CNRS!
Hydrogen sector innovation attracts investment
Here is a fact that can encourage young entrepreneurs to innovate in the hydrogen sector. According to the press release, holding a patent would be a guarantee of attracting funding since “more than 80% of late-stage investments in these hydrogen start-ups for the period 2011-2020 went to companies that had already applied for patents in areas such as electrolysis, fuel or low-emission methods to produce hydrogen from gas. »
The trajectory is the right one!
Hydrogen is a key element of the European strategy aiming to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050. If today almost all the hydrogen produced in the world comes from fossil resources, it is therefore urgent to accelerate the transition to carbon-free hydrogen production methods.
In the report, Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, seems confident: “The findings of this report reinforce our belief that innovators are addressing both the need for low-emission hydrogen and the economic opportunities it represents. »
However, he also clarified that the report identifies “areas – especially end-use applications – where additional effort is needed. »
Although a lot of work remains to be done, Europe and Japan nevertheless seem to be on the right track, which is rather encouraging.
[1] See Figure E2 on page 12 of the full report.