Seaweed-based Biofertilizers: A Patent Analysis

Abstract

Background: Seaweed-based biofertilizers for agriculture are developing rapidly through the innovation and improvement of used raw materials, formulations, methods, and processes. This is evident from the increase in the number of patent applications filed each year in this area of seaweed-based biofertilizer research and development. Methods: This study concerns the patentability and patent analysis of seaweed-based biofertilizers between 2000 and 2020. This form of patent analysis englobes information that could be used as a reference by researchers in the fields of agriculture, as well as those interested, especially in biofertilizers. During a search, different keywords and related terms were used, and patents were searched according to title, abstract, and claims. A detailed analysis was then given regarding publication year, patent classifications, inventors, applicants, owners, and jurisdictions. Finally, innovation and improvement of seaweed-based biofertilizers are proposed. Results: 1731 patent documents have been found. The analyzed period confirms that China was ranked first with 1336 patent documents, and 2017 was the year with the maximum number of patent documents (288). Conclusion: The patent classification codes reveal that most of the inventions are intended for soil conditioners and preparation of fertilizers characterized by biological or biochemical treatment steps, as well as organic fertilizers containing added bacterial cultures.