The number of patent applications in the field of recycling has tripled in Germany over the last ten years.

According to information from the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA), 379 applications were registered in Germany in 2024 in the field of waste material reuse. For its analysis, the DPMA evaluated published patent applications with effect for Germany at its own office and also at the European Patent Office. Accordingly, only patents that have already been published were taken into account; new applications from 2024 are not included.
 
With a total of 479 and a share of 23.2 percent, Germany ranks first in international comparisons of patent applications for waste management, followed by the USA (21.6 percent), Japan (11.6 percent), France (5.3 percent), and South Korea (4.6 percent). The Patent Office has also recorded an increase in publications on innovations in waste disposal from Germany.
 
Patent Office President Eva Schewior emphasizes the importance of the intellectual property rights system for sustainable innovation and climate protection. International cooperation initiatives such as “WIPO Green,” launched by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), are also intended to support technology transfer and promote green developments. According to the DPMA, more than 130,000 solutions are registered on the platform, which aims to bring together inventors of environmentally friendly technologies with companies and investors, including around 15,000 from Germany.
 
Sources:

• DPMA press release (15.10.2025)
• Graphic: © DPMA