Global innovation data for electric vehicle (EV) batteries suggests industry is increasing its investment in solid-state technology significantly, a new report says.
The inaugural Inside Green Innovation: Progress Report 2021, from leading intellectual property firm Appleyard Lees’, analyses patent filings across several key environmental issues facing the world, including EV energy storage, i.e. batteries.
Data shows that worldwide solid-state battery patent applications reached 600 in 2019 – a new peak in the technology’s exponential growth since 2013. And while patent filings remain lower than those for longer-established Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology, numbers for solid-state are expected to outstrip them eventually.
However, improvements in Li-ion technology and its leading market position mean it continues to attract research and development investment.
Paul Beynon, Senior Associate at Appleyard Lees said: “The COP26 declaration to make new cars and vans with zero greenhouse gas-emissions in leading markets by 2035, and everywhere by 2040, will need advances in electric vehicle battery technologies that meet this demand for sustainable change.”
Solid-state battery technology – capacity, lifespan and recycling advantages
Based on new patent filings, car companies such as Toyota, Honda and Hyundai appear to be driving solid-state battery technology innovation.
While China is currently trailing Japan in terms of patent activity, a Chinese battery cell manufacturer, Svolt Energy Tech, has filed more than 550 electric vehicle-related applications with over 30 concerning solid-state batteries since 2019 alone. The company’s recent agreement with German chemical business, BASF, is about combining research and development in sustainable battery materials and increasing both companies’ competitiveness in China. Chemical companies such as LG Chem are also becoming prominent players in solid-state battery technology, with the potential to supply key components for battery manufacture.
“Solid-state technology offers a potentially viable battery alternative, with advantages such as higher capacities, longer lifespans, lower greenhouse gas emissions in production, plus a greater opportunity for recycling,” Beynon said.
“Along with filing patents early to protect innovation investments and gain commercial advantage, innovators would be wise to consider countries with generous research and development funding streams.”
Li-ion battery technology – incremental improvements
Though patent filings for Li-ion technology have been declining across the world for the past decade, activity in China has increased hugely, likely associated with the country’s green technology drive, its leading battery manufacturing position and interest from motor manufacturers.
The European exception is Germany, where government investment and German car manufacturers are generating ongoing interest in this technology area. For example, engineering and technology firm, Robert Bosch GmbH has filed the most Li-on technology-related applications over 10 years.
However, the use of the technology in mining and chemical treatment has led to patent filings from related companies, such as JX Nippon Mining and Sanyo Chemical Industries.
Paul Beynon at Appleyard Lees said: “Patent filings in Li-ion technology show significant R&D to improve electrochemical performance. Across both Li-ion and solid-state, there is also investment in improving energy density by replacing the active materials, particularly the positive anode.”
Other innovations suggested by patent data include employing materials that are easier to recycle, dispose of or use in second life applications.
“Smaller companies may see greater opportunity for R&D in battery recycling and second life use rather than battery manufacture itself, which is already well-populated by large organisations. Meanwhile, even minor improvements in Li-ion battery performance would be beneficial to investors,” Beynon said.
“Overall, our inaugural Inside Green Innovation: Progress Report 2021 aims to by-pass the environmental rhetoric and highlight the true state of progress in developing new, sustainable technologies.
“The patent system requires public disclosure of new innovations, providing a valuable resource to identify the issues of the day and which ‘hot’ innovations could bring new advantages to the world.”
The Inside Green Innovation: Progress Report 2021’s focus on energy (along with plastics and agriculture) was chosen because of its prominence in the global green innovation conversation, as referenced in the OECD’s and United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Green Innovation Database, a global innovation catalogue that connects needs for solving environmental or climate change problems with sustainable solutions.
Appleyard Lees’ inaugural Inside Green Innovation: Progress Report 2021 is available to read here.
