Graphene-related technologies are classified in a diverse range of places in the IPC and though the majority of sub-groups relate to the chemistry and processing of graphene, there are a significant and diverse range of application-specific classifications applied. Varying research strategies of the applicants are evident from the patent collaborations; Samsung exhibits a reasonable amount of collaboration, whilst other top applicants show none. The different nature of the top applicants is further highlighted by the technology landscape which reveals that, in contrast to the specialism evident from most applicants, Samsung is active in a very diverse range of graphene-related technology.
China has emerged as leader (in the last five years) in terms of manufacturing as well as applications of graphene.