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Patent offices offer a ‘showcase’ for green innovations

DPMA analysis: Patent applications for recycling valuable materials from waste have tripled in ten years – Offices around the world want to help environmentally and climate-friendly innovations achieve economic breakthrough – WIPO Green initiative brings inventors and investors together – DPMA President: IP system offers enormous incentive for the development of environmentally friendly technologies

Press release of 15 October 2025

Munich. The development of innovations in recycling has gained significant momentum in recent years. In 2024, 379 patent applications for the recycling of valuable materials from waste were published for the German market – three times as many as ten years ago. Publications by German applicants also increased significantly during this period. There was also a marked increase in applications in the field of waste disposal. By contrast, the number of inventions relating to air pollution control declined overall. One important reason for this appears to be the decline in innovation activity for combustion engines. In this context, inventions relating to exhaust gas treatment are also declining significantly. These are the findings of an analysis by the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) on technologies for waste management and the circular economy.

In a comparison of countries, German applicants led the way in their home market across all areas considered, with a total of 479 applications relating to waste management. They were followed by the United States, Japan, France and South Korea. For the analysis, we evaluated published patent applications with effect for Germany at the DPMA and the European Patent Office. Patent applications are usually published after 18 months. New applications from 2024 are therefore not yet included.

‘The responsible use of resources is one of the most important social challenges, and technical innovations make an immensely important contribution to this,’ said DPMA President Eva Schewior. ‘However, innovations can only realise their full economic potential if they are protected. The international intellectual property rights system therefore offers an enormous incentive to develop green innovations and thus contribute to mitigating climate change and environmental damage.’

Together with partners from around the world, the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) wants to focus more strongly on protecting environmentally and climate-friendly innovations. ‘With the aim of contributing to solutions for mitigating climate change, we will promote the development and transfer of green technologies,’ according to a joint statement by patent offices from around the world.

WIPO Green makes a structural contribution to technology transfer

An important tool in this regard is the ‘WIPO Green’ initiative launched by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), which the German Patent and Trade Mark Office has joined. The platform brings together inventors of environmentally friendly technologies with companies and investors. There are already more than 130,000 entries on solutions, needs and contact points. Around 2,500 organisations and individuals use the platform regularly. Around 15,000 inventions from Germany can be found on WIPO Green – imported via a WIPO database and, in 200 cases, actively uploaded by companies from Germany.

‘WIPO Green brings research and industry together, connecting innovators and investors,’ emphasises DPMA President Eva Schewior. ‘The platform is a showcase and thus an important contribution to IP transfer. If the protection of green innovations can lead to attractive products and profitable business models, they will be particularly effective against climate change, for greater environmental protection and sustainable energy supply.’

The DPMA regularly analyses how patent applications for green technologies are developing. The number of published patent applications from Germany in important areas of renewable energy generation increased significantly in 2024, as shown by an analysis of solar technology, wind energy and battery technology. This is presented in detail in the DPMA Annual Report 2024.

The German Patent and Trade Mark Office

Inventiveness and creativity need effective protection. The DPMA is the German centre of expertise for all intellectual property rights – for patents, utility models, trade marks and designs. As the largest national patent office in Europe and the sixth largest national patent office in the world, it represents the future of Germany as a country of inventors in a globalised economy. Its approximately 2,800 employees at three locations – Munich, Jena and Berlin – provide services to inventors and companies. They implement the Federal Government's innovation strategies and further develop national, European and international protection systems.

Bild: iStock.com/metamorworks

Last updated: 15 October 2025