Fuel cell - Cleantech Forecast
The future for the fuel cell patent sector can be characterized as being split between
the major automotive manufacturers and major Japanese manufacturers concerned with
developing DMFCs (direct methanol fuel cells).
For example, as reflected in the Fuel Cell Forecast chart, from 2009 to 2012, the
authors predict that the major patent recipients will include Honda, GM, Toyota,
and Nissan on the automotive front, and Samsung and Toshiba on the DMFC front. The
clear strategy for companies in the automotive industry is to accumulate a strong
patent portfolio to protect their fuel-saving technology as recently reported by
the Wall Street Journal (See “Toyota Builds Thicket of Patents Around Hybrid To Block Competitors,”
The Wall Street Journal, July 1, 2009, available
here.) Honda was found to be high on the
list from 2005-2008, and is expected to remain very competitive for issuing patents
in the sector through 2012. GM has also received numerous patents in this area in
the past, but its patent filings are dropping off somewhat as reflected by its lower
than usual anticipated patents to be issued in 2012. Toyota, who also has a strong
presence in the Hybrid patent field, has in the past been a leader in this area
and is expected to remain so through 2012.
On the DMFC side, two major players – Toshiba and Samsung – have emerged as predicted
dominant players in the future. Toshiba is developing DMFCs for notebook PC applications
and for use in cell phones. Samsung has reported developing DMFCs for military use
to power military electronics for short periods of time.
Another significant player in the fuel cell market in the future is Canon, the camera
manufacturer. Canon is developing fuel cells to be used in its cameras.
Overall, the fuel cell market is a relatively mature one that is expected to show
moderate growth (on the order of 15-20%) through 2012.