Biofuels - Subtopic Landscape

A synthetic biology perspective

The subset of SynBio – biofuel related patents were further investigated to identify subtopics and assess trending areas. The topic model leverages a hybrid approach based on the optimised extractive summary for each publication. Using a combination of topic discovery via fine-tuned transformer based deep learning and ground truth cross referencing via keyword and classification codes. The process enables a patent to belong to more than one topic for accurate multi-classification trends, accounting for multiple invention embodiments. Please see the topic model page for further details regarding the topic model methodology to avoid duplication here.

Subtopic counts

The identified subtopics within the biofuel topic are shown in figure 1. The topics are ranked based on the total number of published applications since 2015. A patent application can be counted more than once as it can belong to multiple topics.

In figure 1, the analysis enables multilabel classification for each patent application, to account for multiple invention embodiments. Since 2015, 54% of the biofuels dataset was classified within the waste and recycling subtopic, indicating a major feedstock. The international energy agency (tracking biofuels supply) identified that biofuels produced from wate such as residues and dedicated crops (no-food) would need to reach 40% of total biofuel demand by 2030 (9% in 2021) to be on track with net zero emissions by 2050. Biomass is also an important feedstock where 42.7% of documents were classified. Fermentation is a key method to convert biomass into ethanol but can also be used to produce biodiesel, biobutanol, etc. using microorganisms such as yeast and E.coli. Biogases and hydrogen are an important biofuel area (31.7% documents classified here) whilst ethanol via microorganisms and ethanol via yeast and fungal microorganisms continue to contribute to biofuel growth. Carbon capture is becoming an increasingly important area contributing to sustainability and reducing emissions.

The biofuel subtopic publication year trends are shown in figure 2. Publication trends discussed below are based on EP A1/A2 applications, identified patents can belong to more than one subtopic due to multiple invention embodiments.

In figure 2, the fastest growing topic based on compound annual growth rate during 2016-2024 was carbon capture / sequestration & removal (15.6%), waste & recycling also grew above the 10% threshold (10.6%). Fuel compositions are becoming more important (7.7%) whilst yeast and fungal microorganisms for ethanol production grew at 6.9%. The Hydrogen, syngas, biogas, etc. subtopic is contributing to the growth of the biofuel topic overall, growing at 6.2%.

Subtopic top 20 assignees distributions (published since 2015)

The patent portfolios of the top 20 assignees within the SynBio – biofuels dataset are analysed in figure 3. The portfolios are restricted to publications during 2015-24, mapped to the subtopics identified, the counts represent total EPO publications.

The heatmap in figure 3 reveals the distribution of the top 20 assignees since 2015, publications can be assigned to more than one subtopic, reflecting multiple invention embodiments. Lanzatech has a diverse biofuel portfolio across the subtopics identified with a strong microorganisms focus such as butanol via microorganisms (22 publications) and ethanol via microorganisms (39 publications). Lanzatech is also actively repurposing waste and recycling (29 publications), embraces carbon capture & sequestration (11 publications) but appears less focused on yeast and fungi for ethanol production (3 publications). AIR LIQUIDE appears to be a major assignee active in the Hydrogen and biogas subtopic (109 publications). NOVOZYMES and DANSICO have the largest fermentation distributions, whilst DANISCO and NOVOZYMES have the largest distributions within the production of ethanol via yeast and fungal species subtopic. NESTE OIL, SABIC & EASTMAN CHEMICAL have the largest distributions within the waste & recycling subtopic, which is a major biofuel area identified.

The analysis does not account for earlier publications prior to 2015, which may have contributed to companies developing market share, etc. and potential licensing and acquisitions (subsidiaries). The analysis is an informative guide as some specific subtopics have strict content boundaries to enable differentiation, whilst others are broader to capture more generic areas.