Research and innovation in batteries in the mining industry operations and technologies sector has declined in the last year.
The most recent figures show that the number of batteries-related patent applications in the industry stood at 105 in the three months ending April – down from 107 over the same period in 2021.
Figures for patent grants related to batteries followed a different pattern to filings – growing from 37 in the three months ending April 2021 to 49 in the same period in 2022.
The figures are compiled by GlobalData, which tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Using textual analysis, as well as official patent classifications, these patents are grouped into key thematic areas, and linked to key companies across various industries.
Batteries is one of the key areas tracked by GlobalData. It has been identified as being a key disruptive force facing companies in the coming years, and is one of the areas that companies investing resources in now are expected to reap rewards from. The figures also provide an insight into the largest innovators in the sector.
Sumitomo Metal Mining was the top batteries innovator in the mining industry operations and technologies sector in the latest quarter. The company, which has its headquarters in Japan, filed 44 batteries-related patents in the three months ending April. That was down from 55 over the same period in 2021.
It was followed by the Japan-based Mitsui Mining & Smelting with 14 batteries patent applications, the US-based Caterpillar (10 applications), and Japan-based Dowa Holdings (9 applications).
Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co Ltd has recently ramped up R&D in batteries. It saw growth of 35.7% in related patent applications in the three months ending April compared to the same period in 2021 - the highest percentage growth out of all companies tracked with more than 10 quarterly patents in the mining industry operations and technologies sector.
