**3. Analysis of patent applicants and papers published by technology**

In this chapter, we analyzed the top applicants and papers published by each technology and each classification (separation membranes for wastewater treatment, purification membranes for water treatment, separators for seawater desalination, and separation membranes for ion exchange processes). In the case of patents, applicants from all countries are categorized as applicants according to the section. The applicants are divided into three sections (1995–1999), two sections (2000–2004), three sections (2005–2009) (1997 ~ 2001), two sections (2002 ~ 2006), three sections (2007 ~ 2001), and three sections (2011 ~ 2016), and the changes in the top 13 countries were confirmed.

Looking at the top applicants by overall technology, although the overall strength of Japan can be seen, the number of Korean applicants for technology is gradually increasing (Korea Institute of Energy Research, Woongjin Chemical, LG Chem).

Toray Industries, Japan, ranked second place (31), second place (43), second place (43), and third place (48) (53 cases).

In the case of the thesis, if we look at the top publishing countries by overall technology, the overall strength of the USA is strong, but China and Korea are showing a sharp rise, and Japan is steadily declining. In Korea, it is ranked 13th place (130 cases) in one section, 7th place (538 cases) in two sections, 5th place (890 cases) in three sections, and 3rd place (1455 cases) in four sections.

**Figures 10** and **11** and **Tables 4** and **5** show the top patent applicants and top papers published by technology in the last 10 years.

Research Trend of Membranes for Water Treatment by Analysis of Patents and Papers'… http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.76694 213

**Figure 10.** Comparison of total number of patent applications of global company in field of different membrane technology between the periods 2006 and 2016.

#### **3.1. Top applicant and posting office of separation membranes for wastewater treatment**

**Figure 9.** An analysis graph about BAI, BII, and BCI by each country.

membranes, USA, Japan, And the researcher.

212 Desalination and Water Treatment

important for separating membranes for wastewater treatment, Germany for water treatment membranes, Korea, India, the UK, Australia, and the Netherlands for seawater desalination

In this chapter, we analyzed the top applicants and papers published by each technology and each classification (separation membranes for wastewater treatment, purification membranes for water treatment, separators for seawater desalination, and separation membranes for ion exchange processes). In the case of patents, applicants from all countries are categorized as applicants according to the section. The applicants are divided into three sections (1995–1999), two sections (2000–2004), three sections (2005–2009) (1997 ~ 2001), two sections (2002 ~ 2006), three sections (2007 ~ 2001),

Looking at the top applicants by overall technology, although the overall strength of Japan can be seen, the number of Korean applicants for technology is gradually increasing (Korea

Toray Industries, Japan, ranked second place (31), second place (43), second place (43), and

In the case of the thesis, if we look at the top publishing countries by overall technology, the overall strength of the USA is strong, but China and Korea are showing a sharp rise, and Japan is steadily declining. In Korea, it is ranked 13th place (130 cases) in one section, 7th place (538 cases) in two sections, 5th place (890 cases) in three sections, and 3rd place (1455 cases) in four sections. **Figures 10** and **11** and **Tables 4** and **5** show the top patent applicants and top papers pub-

**3. Analysis of patent applicants and papers published by technology**

and three sections (2011 ~ 2016), and the changes in the top 13 countries were confirmed.

Institute of Energy Research, Woongjin Chemical, LG Chem).

third place (48) (53 cases).

lished by technology in the last 10 years.

Japan is the main applicant of the separation membranes for wastewater treatment. In Korea, the rankings are gradually increasing over time. (Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Woongjin Chemical), 4 (Korea Institute of Science and Technology), 2 (Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Phylos, Sinopec, and Samsung C & T). Among them, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) ranked eighth place (4 cases) in two sections, third place (7 cases) in three sections, and first place (9 cases) in four sections.

**Figure 11.** Comparison of total number of papers publications of global company in field of different membrane technology between the periods 2006 and 2016.

In the case of the top publishing countries, the USA is strong overall, but China has steadily climbed to the top of the four sections, and Japan is steadily declining. In Korea, Korea ranked eighth place (46 cases) in the first section, fourth place (179 cases) in the second section, sixth place (236 cases) in the third section, and sixth place (350 cases) in the fourth section.

#### **3.2. Top applicants and posting authorities for separation membrane for water treatment**

The top applicants of water treatment membranes are generally Japan, but in Canada and the UK in the second section, in Korea in the third section and in Korea and the United States and Denmark in the fourth section, It can be seen that patent applications are increasingly being made in various countries. Toray Industries in Japan has filed more than 10 patents in all segments and continues to apply for patents related to separation membranes for water treatment. The Korean applicant has applied for Woongjin Coway (fourth place, 6 cases) in three sections, Woongjin Coway (fourth place, 5 cases) and Woongjin Chemical (sixth place, 4 cases) Can be.

In the case of the top publishing countries, the overall strength of the USA is strong, but China and Korea have shown a sharp rise, and Japan is showing a steady decline. In Korea, there are 12 (17 cases), 1 (5 cases), 3 (7 cases), and 3 (223 cases).

#### **3.3. Top applicant and posting office of seawater desalination membrane**

The top applicant for seawater desalination membranes is Toray Industries, Japan, which has filed more than 10 applications in all segments, showing continuous applications for membrane-related desalination membranes. There are four applicants from Korea (Saehan), two from two sections (Saehan and KEPCO), four from three sections (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Woongjin Chemical, Siontech and Hyosung) (LG Chem, Woongjin Chemical, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Korea Institute of Energy Research, Korea University, Korea Institute of Science and Technology).

In the case of the top publishing countries, the overall strength of the USA is strong but China and Korea have shown a sharp rise and Japan is showing a steady decline. Korea ranked 13th place (14 cases) in the first section, 13th place (53 cases) in the second section, 3rd place (203 cases) in the third section, and 3rd place (453 cases) in the fourth section.

## **3.4. Top applicant and posting office for separation membranes for ion exchange processes**

Asahi Glass is ranked first place in the first section (28 cases), first place in the second section (41 cases), first place in the third section (76 cases) (22 cases), showing a slight decline. In addition, Chlorine Engineers ranked sixth (8 cases) in one section, fourth place (19 cases) in two sections, fifth place (19 cases) in three sections, and fourth place (21 cases) in four sections. The application rose steadily. 1 in the three sections (Samsung SDI) and one in four sections (Korea Institute of Energy Research) in the ion exchange process.

In the case of top publishing countries, the USA has shown a decline but China and Korea have shown a sharp rise. Korea ranked 13th place (53 cases) in the first section, 7th place (207 **Ranking**

**MBR** **Company**

> 1

2

Sumitomo

JP

9

Mitsubishi

JP

8

Toray chemical

 JP

21

KIER

KR

22

Rayon

Electric

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Samsung

KR

5

Celgard

US

3

Mitsubishi

JP

7

Fuji Film

NL

11

Manufacturing

Heavy Ind

C&T

10 **Table 4.**

Patent application company by each technology (past 10

 years).

Aqua Ecos

JP

5 ISO code: KR, Korea; JP, Japan; US, United States of America; DK, Denmark; NL, Netherlands.

General Electric

 US

3

KIST

KR

6

General Electric

US

11

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215

Research Trend of Membranes for Water Treatment by Analysis of Patents and Papers'…

Palo Alto

US

6

Kobelco

JP

3

Korea

KR

8

Nitto Denko

JP

11

University

Eco-Solution

Research

Kurita Water JP

6

Aquaporin

DK

3

KIER

KR

8

Fuji Film

JP

14

Synopex

KR

7

Woongjin

KR

4

KRICT

KR

8

Asahi Kasei

JP

17

E-Materials

Chemical

Philos

KR

7

Toray Chemical

 JP

4

Woongjin

KR

12

Asahi Kasei

JP

17

Chemicals

Chemical

Toray

JP

9

Woongjin

KR

5

Sumitomo

JP

12

Chlorine Engineers

 JP

21

Electric

Coway

Industries

General

US

9

Toshiba

JP

8

LG Chemical

KR

12

Asahi Glass

JP

22

Electric

KIST

KR

9

Toray

JP

15

Toray

JP

29

Kuraray

JP

24

Industries

Industries

**Country**

**Number**

**Company**

**Country**

**Number**

**Company**

**Country**

**Number**

**Company**

**Country**

**Number**

**Water treatment**

**Desalination**

**Ion exchange**


In the case of the top publishing countries, the USA is strong overall, but China has steadily climbed to the top of the four sections, and Japan is steadily declining. In Korea, Korea ranked eighth place (46 cases) in the first section, fourth place (179 cases) in the second section, sixth

The top applicants of water treatment membranes are generally Japan, but in Canada and the UK in the second section, in Korea in the third section and in Korea and the United States and Denmark in the fourth section, It can be seen that patent applications are increasingly being made in various countries. Toray Industries in Japan has filed more than 10 patents in all segments and continues to apply for patents related to separation membranes for water treatment. The Korean applicant has applied for Woongjin Coway (fourth place, 6 cases) in three sections, Woongjin Coway (fourth place, 5 cases) and Woongjin Chemical (sixth place, 4 cases) Can be. In the case of the top publishing countries, the overall strength of the USA is strong, but China and Korea have shown a sharp rise, and Japan is showing a steady decline. In Korea, there are

The top applicant for seawater desalination membranes is Toray Industries, Japan, which has filed more than 10 applications in all segments, showing continuous applications for membrane-related desalination membranes. There are four applicants from Korea (Saehan), two from two sections (Saehan and KEPCO), four from three sections (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Woongjin Chemical, Siontech and Hyosung) (LG Chem, Woongjin Chemical, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Korea Institute of Energy

In the case of the top publishing countries, the overall strength of the USA is strong but China and Korea have shown a sharp rise and Japan is showing a steady decline. Korea ranked 13th place (14 cases) in the first section, 13th place (53 cases) in the second section, 3rd place (203

Asahi Glass is ranked first place in the first section (28 cases), first place in the second section (41 cases), first place in the third section (76 cases) (22 cases), showing a slight decline. In addition, Chlorine Engineers ranked sixth (8 cases) in one section, fourth place (19 cases) in two sections, fifth place (19 cases) in three sections, and fourth place (21 cases) in four sections. The application rose steadily. 1 in the three sections (Samsung SDI) and one in four sections

In the case of top publishing countries, the USA has shown a decline but China and Korea have shown a sharp rise. Korea ranked 13th place (53 cases) in the first section, 7th place (207

place (236 cases) in the third section, and sixth place (350 cases) in the fourth section.

**3.2. Top applicants and posting authorities for separation membrane for water** 

**3.3. Top applicant and posting office of seawater desalination membrane**

Research, Korea University, Korea Institute of Science and Technology).

cases) in the third section, and 3rd place (453 cases) in the fourth section.

(Korea Institute of Energy Research) in the ion exchange process.

**3.4. Top applicant and posting office for separation membranes for ion exchange** 

12 (17 cases), 1 (5 cases), 3 (7 cases), and 3 (223 cases).

**treatment**

214 Desalination and Water Treatment

**processes**

**Table 4.** Patent application company by each technology (past 10 years).


countries such as the USA and Canada. The competitiveness of patent technology in Korea can be relatively low compared to Japan in relation to technology, but if the trend is steadily rising in the recent years, the competitiveness of patent technology in Korea will sufficiently

Research Trend of Membranes for Water Treatment by Analysis of Patents and Papers'…

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217

In case of publishing the thesis, we analyzed the technical competitiveness of the thesis on the related technology by using three evaluation items, thesis activity, thesis influence, and thesis concentration. Among the 47,242 validated papers related to water treatment membrane technologies, Korea ranked among the top 13 countries in terms of thesis activities and ninth in terms of thesis influence, and the concentration of thesis was mostly on seawater desalination membranes (1.19). As a result of analyzing the top ranking countries by technology and sector, overall, the USA has shown stronger strength; China and Korea are rising sharply, and Japan has shown a declining trend. The technology competitiveness in Korea can be relatively low compared to the developed countries in the related technology, but if the trend is steadily rising in the recent years, the competitiveness of paper technology in Korea will sufficiently

When the patent application and the publication of the papers are comprehensively judged, the activities of patents and theses are actively carried out, but the qualitative level (market power, influence, concentration) is lower than those of the competitors. Among the four water treatment membrane technologies, Ion Exchange Membrane has the highest concentration of patents, of 0.57, the lowest among the top 10 countries, and its market power and influence remain low. The results of the papers showed a similar tendency as the patent applications. Though the activities of the thesis were recorded in the top 13 of the top applications, the influence of the quality of the thesis was recorded at the lowest level (ninth place). Particularly, in the case of the Republic of Korea, the separation membrane for ion exchange process among the four water treatment membrane technologies has the highest activity rate but the least influence. This is considered to be a result of the high price formation, low durability, commercialization technology, and the formation of a supply system in the ion exchange membrane for the ion exchange process in the domestic market. In order to solve this problem (solar, wind, geothermal, etc.), technological internalization through technological advancement, as well as a system that can secure economic efficiency, is important. In addition, it is necessary to develop pro-market-type products suitable for demand sites such as urban areas and industrial complexes that can respond to the increase in social demand for greenhouse gas reduction and stability of the metropolitan area system. It is necessary to utilize it as a strategy to cope with climate change and power plants and to utilize renewable energy in the medium and long term.

This study was carried out through the analysis of the data of WIPS, a patent analysis agency,

increase in future.

increase in future.

Will gradually increase..

**Acknowledgements**

and with the help of Kim Se-Jong, Ph.D.

**Table 5.** Papers application country by each technology (past 10 years).

cases) in the second section, 4th place (325 cases) in the third section, and 4th place (429 cases) in the fourth section.
