Steep rise in inventions to combat plastic waste: Europe in the lead

The latest technology insight report from the Observatory on Patents and Technology reveals recent trends in the rapidly growing field of plastic waste management. The report is accompanied by a new technology platform, which improves access to technical know-how from the field, and updates to the Deep Tech Finder tool, which links inventors and investors.

While plastics are integral to modern life, plastic waste poses significant challenges to ecosystems and human health. However, in the past three decades there has been a surge in inventions to recover and recycle plastic waste, advancing a more circular economy. The recent trends revealed in the EPO’s latest technology insight report directly relate to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 12 (Sustainable consumption and production), as well as SDGs 6 (Clean water and sanitation), 14 (Life below water) and 15 (Life on land).

Technology trends in plastic waste recovery and recycling

The technology insight report explores five decades of technology trends in plastic waste management based on 12 924 unique inventions in waste recovery (separation and purification) and waste recycling (conversion into new materials). The report also offers insights into the patenting behaviour of large applicants in the field, as well as of emerging startups and the research sector.

Steep increase in patenting activity

Innovation in plastic waste management has outpaced other technology fields, with patenting activity increasing 18-fold during the period from 1990 to 2023. The growth in applications intensified after 2015 and rapidly accelerated in the 2020s.

Europe in the lead

With Germany, France, Italy and the UK forging ahead, Europe has consistently led in plastic waste management innovation, accounting for 44% of related patenting activity during the past three decades. Asia also contributed steadily to the growth and now matches North America, with each region of origin accounting for just under 30% of all international patent families (IPFs).

Europe also leads in removing plastics from water and in AI-driven inventions, two key technology areas for sustainability and competitiveness.

Applicants originate from a broad range of industries

Eight of the top 20 applicants in plastic waste recycling are European, as are ten of the top 20 applicants in plastic waste recovery. The three pure recycling players that appear in these rankings are all European, with Erema (Germany) and Carbios (France) in recycling and Tomra (Norway) in waste recovery. Overall, about half of the world’s top applicants in these fields operate in the chemical or tyre industries. A significant number operate in industries such as packaging, automotive, electronics, printing or consumer goods.

Patent data also shows some growth in the startup and university sector. From 2010 to 2023, 82 startups and 63 universities from across Europe filed European patent applications mainly in advanced recycling methods, with a steep rise after 2015. Waste removal technologies saw fewer filings, especially among startups, highlighting technical and economic challenges. The startup rankings are topped by companies from the UK, followed by France, Germany and Sweden. Among the most active universities in the field are those from France and Germany, which are the top applicants.

Linking European startups and investors with the Deep Tech Finder

The EPO is making it easier to identify Europe’s investment-ready startups and leading universities in the field. Our free Deep Tech Finder tool has been updated to include the profiles of 145 European startups and universities, which account for 306 European patent applications in the areas of plastic waste recovery, plastic waste recycling and alternative plastics. 

New EPO technology platform on plastic waste management and alternative plastics

The EPO provides several technology platforms that make it easier for scientists and researchers to explore its Espacenet database, which is the world's largest, freely accessible single source of patent information. Its latest technology platform maps technologies in plastic waste recovery, plastic waste recycling and alternative plastics, using the expertise of patent examiners from the EPO and national patent offices to provide 70 searchable technology areas. By doing so, the EPO aims to increase the accessibility of patent knowledge and further drive innovation in these fields.