Belgium recorded a historic high of 2,615 European patent applications in 2024, driven largely by its thriving biotech sector, according to the latest report from the European Patent Office (EPO).
While artificial intelligence (AI) and electric vehicle battery technologies dominated global patent filings, Belgium’s steady growth in innovation highlights its evolving role in the European research landscape.
Although Belgium’s applications represented only a small fraction of the total 199,264 European patent applications submitted in 2024, the country has experienced consistent growth in patent filings since 2015.
The EPO, an executive arm of an international organization comprising 39 member states, including Belgium, oversees the examination of patent applications, which can grant protection in up to 45 countries.
Biotech Leads the Way
Biotechnology emerged as Belgium’s leading sector for patent applications, accounting for 225 filings. Pharmaceutical-related patents followed closely behind with 192 applications, while metallurgy and metals research generated 183 filings.
The figures underscore Belgium’s strength in life sciences and material innovation, positioning the country as a key player in Europe’s research ecosystem.
In addition to its overall patent performance, Belgium ranked second in Europe—behind Spain—for the highest number of patent applications that included at least one female inventor, signaling progress in gender diversity within the country’s innovation landscape.
Global Patent Trends: AI and Car Batteries at the Forefront
The year 2024 also saw significant investments in AI-related innovations worldwide. While AI has stirred debate over intellectual property rights, the EPO maintains a strict stance that AI can be used as a tool but not recognized as an inventor.
“We look at AI from a human-centric approach. AI is purely a tool—it cannot create inventions on its own,” said EPO Director for Communication Luis Berenguer Giménez.
He highlighted the AI-powered infection test kit by Rochelle Niemeijer, which won the Young Inventors Prize in 2024, as an example of AI being utilized to enhance human-led innovation.
Alongside AI, the push for greener technologies—especially in the automotive sector—continued to gain traction. Investment in clean energy patents has been rising for several years, with car battery research at the forefront of this growth.
“The market is demanding cleaner, more efficient batteries, and that is what is driving innovation,” Berenguer Giménez noted.
Europe Struggles to Keep Pace in the Global Market
Despite the EU’s strong push toward greener automotive technology, Europe lags behind in car battery innovation. According to the EPO, China leads in battery-related patents, followed by the United States and Japan, with Europe trailing behind.
The start of 2025 has seen growing concerns from the European automotive sector, which faces stiff competition from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers, mass layoffs, and production shifts outside the continent.
This has raised alarms over Europe’s long-term competitiveness in the global green energy race.
Looking Ahead: Uncertain Future for Innovation Trends
While AI and green energy research are expected to remain dominant in the coming years, the ongoing international trade disputes could alter innovation trajectories.
“Our data is from 2024, and the tariff war started in 2025. So far, we have not seen anything worth mentioning,” said Berenguer Giménez. “You can ask me next year.”
With global economic and political factors influencing research and development, the coming year may present new challenges and opportunities for Belgium’s innovation sector.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
