Patents can act as an indicator of innovation in a given region
EU and Japan dominate hydrogen patents
China is showing increasing interest in the development of electrocatalysts that do not contain precious metals, says a report by Irena and the European Patent Office
Europe and Japan account for more than 50pc of international patents for hydrogen-related technologies, according to a study by the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) and the European Patent Office. Patents were grouped into five sections—cell operations, electrocatalyst materials, separators and electrolyser stacks. Europe leads in electrolysers stacks, with 41pc of total patents in this area; electrocatalyst materials, with 34pc; and cell operations, with 32pc—reflecting the region’s position as the centre of expertise in expertise in electrolyser manufacturing. The region is home to some of the biggest producers in the world—including Nel, ITM Power, Johnson Matthey, Sunfire, M
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