Belgian companies, universities and research institutions have filed a record 2,615 patent applications to the European Patent Office (EPO) in 2024. 66 per cent of these applications came from Flanders, which ranks ninth among European regions in terms of the number of patent applications.
A total of 199,264 patent applications were filed at the EPO last year, a slight decrease – with just 0.1 per cent – compared to 2023. For the first time, computer technology, including AI applications, was the most active field. “European innovation remains robust despite global economic uncertainties,” stated the EPO. “The patent data provide a clear roadmap for industry, policy and investment priorities.”
For Belgium, an increase of 1.1 per cent was recorded in 2024. Over ten years, there has been a 28 per cent increase in the number of patent applications. Globally, Belgium accounts for 1.3 per cent of all applications. It ranks in 12th place in the world.
The three main areas for Belgian applications were biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and materials/metallurgy. In the latter category, a remarkable increase of 39.7 per cent was recorded. Other sectors with notable growth rates were transport and special machinery, such as 3D printing.
Flanders as driving force
Most applications from Belgium – about 66 per cent – came from Flanders. This puts the region in ninth place in the list of European regions in terms of applications. The strongest growth, with 51 per cent, was however for the Brussels-Capital Region.
Research institute imec was the most active Belgian applicant last year, with 203 applications, followed by chemical company Syensqo and materials specialist Umicore. KU Leuven, Ghent University, Antwerp University and Flemish research institute VITO are also in the top ten.
A notable trend is the rise of female inventors. In Europe, they account for a quarter of all patent applications, in Belgium for almost one in three – 32 per cent. Only Spain is ahead of Belgium in this respect, with 42 per cent.
