Number of Applications in the Area of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic Has Been Increasing

According to a survey conducted by the Japan Patent Office (JPO), the JPO found that the number of patent applications filed in the area of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) from Japanese companies has been increasing.
 
CFRP is a material that is attracting attention globally because companies are able to reduce the weight of vehicles and improve fuel economy.
 
Japanese companies in particular have been filing the largest numbers of applications related to CFRPs in order to maintain a technological advantage.
 
The top 10 companies who have filed applications from 2005 to 2014 throughout the world related to CFRPs is as follows:
 
1. Toray Industries, Inc. (JP) 922 cases
2. Airbus S.A.S. (EP) 444 cases
3. Teijin Limited (JP) 351 cases
4. Toyota Motor Corporation (JP) 333 cases
5. Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. (JP) 306 cases
6. The Boeing Company (US) 208 cases
7. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (JP) 163 cases
8. BMW AG (GE) 158 cases
9. Daimler AG (GE) 155 cases
10. Sekisui Chemical Company, Ltd. (JP) 96 cases
 
Currently, the aircraft industry accounts for about half of all the CFRP technology being used globally, and the automotive industry accounts for only about 10 percent.
 
The JPO expects that the demand for using CFRPs in the automotive industry will increase, and surpass the demand in the aircraft industry by 2025.