China continues to focus on hydrogen. This is shown by the list “Top 100 global hydrogen industry patent applications for 2022”. Companies from a total of 17 different countries are represented on the list, 32 of which are from China. When it comes to the number of patent applications, however, the ratio looks different: The 100 companies together filed 5,277 hydrogen patent applications, of which 2,144 applications are from China – or about 40%.
The leading Chinese applicant is China Petrochemical Corporation with 708 patent applications, followed by China Huaneng Group with 221 patent applications. National Grid ranked fifth on the list. Yihuatong, an emerging company, ranks 10th with 120 hydrogen patent applications. In 2022, there were 360 registered invention patents and 498 utility models in the database of China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) related to hydrogen. The ratio of applications to registrations shows that hydrogen patents are strictly examined in China.
The Hydrogen Industry Development Plan (2021-2035) of the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Office stipulates that China will largely master the core technologies and manufacturing processes for hydrogen by 2025. Renewable hydrogen production is expected to reach 10 to 20 million tons per year. By 2030, a comprehensive system for technological innovation in the hydrogen industry, production of clean hydrogen and supply of the energy carrier to the country is to be established. By 2035, a multi-ecosystem for the use of hydrogen energy is to be created and the share of hydrogen from renewable energy sources in final energy consumption is to increase significantly.
According to a forecast by Dalian Technology University, by 2030, the country’s annual hydrogen demand will increase to 37.15 million tons, then accounting for about 5% of final energy consumption. By 2060, annual hydrogen demand will reach about 130 million tons, accounting for about 20% of final energy consumption. These projections highlight the significant growth potential of the hydrogen industry in China. We expect to see extensive international licensing deals for hydrogen technology in China as well.
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