Company patents

Albemarle Corporation

Albemarle Corporation's patent strategy reveals a surprising, strong emerging focus on Batteries & Fuel Cells, which saw a remarkable 600.0% year-over-year growth in 2024, now accounting for 22.2% of its portfolio, mirroring its established strength in Catalysts & Reactors (also 22.2%). While many categories show no patent activity so far in 2026, the company appears to be shifting away from Petroleum / Hydrocarbon Refining, which saw a 100.0% decline in 2025.

Patent Trend by Technology Area

Yearly patent publications since 2023

Product themes

Product-level themes inferred from filings since 2023, with category chips showing where each theme appears. Select a theme to filter the patents below.

54 US filings (since 2023) · 12 categories · 18 themes

Lithium Compound Synthesis for Batteries

Methods for synthesizing high-purity lithium compounds, such as lithium carbonate, lithium sulfide, or composite salts, specifically optimized for use in battery electrodes or electrolytes.

Non-metallic Inorganic Compounds
Who else files here? →
23since 2023
+44.4%YoY
Lithium Battery Anode Materials

Active anode materials and manufacturing techniques for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, including silicon-carbon composites, graphite, lithium-metal anodes, and electrode coating processes that improve capacity, cycle life, and rate capability.

Non-metallic Inorganic CompoundsBatteries & Fuel Cells
Who else files here? →
13since 2023
+350.0%YoY
Advanced Polymerization Processesfiltered

Novel methods and reactor designs for polymer synthesis, focusing on improving efficiency, achieving continuous production, or controlling specific polymer architectures and product morphologies like particle size or sheet formation.

Polymer Synthesis (Polymerization)
Who else files here? →
8since 2023
+200.0%YoY
Catalytic Olefin Polymerization

Methods and catalyst systems, often supported (e.g., on silica or alumina), for the synthesis of polyolefins like polyethylene and polypropylene, focusing on controlling molecular weight, distribution, and polymer morphology.

Polymer Synthesis (Polymerization)
Who else files here? →
8since 2023
+200.0%YoY
Polymer Thermal Stability & Flame Retardancy

Additives that enhance a polymer's resistance to thermal degradation, high temperatures, or ignition, including flame retardants and heat stabilizers for improved safety and durability.

Polymer Additives
Who else files here? →
7since 2023
-50.0%YoY
Catalytic Cracking & Regeneration

Processes and reactor designs for breaking down heavier hydrocarbon feedstocks into lighter, more valuable products using catalysts, including methods for regenerating spent catalysts through coke burning or other means.

Petroleum / Hydrocarbon Refining
Who else files here? →
7since 2023
n/a
Urethane/Urea Polymerization

Methods for synthesizing polyurethanes and polyureas, including non-isocyanate routes, using various monomers, catalysts, and curing agents, often for foams, coatings, or adhesives.

Polymer Synthesis (Polycondensation)
Who else files here? →
6since 2023
0.0%YoY
Novel Catalyst Materials

Development and synthesis of catalysts with unique compositions or structures, such as medium entropy alloys, metal foam-supported catalysts, layered catalytic articles, or high-entropy oxides, to enhance activity, selectivity, or stability in chemical reactions.

Catalysts & Reactors
Who else files here? →
4since 2023
n/a
Emerging Contaminant Removal

Specific techniques and materials developed to remove persistent or difficult-to-treat pollutants from water, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), micropollutants, or specific industrial chemicals.

Catalysts & ReactorsWater / Sewage Treatment
Who else files here? →
3since 2023
-50.0%YoY
Hydrogen Production Catalysis

Catalytic processes and novel catalyst materials designed to efficiently produce hydrogen gas from various feedstocks, including hydrocarbons (e.g., methane, natural gas) and ammonia.

Non-metallic Inorganic Compounds
Who else files here? →
3since 2023
0.0%YoY
Advanced Adsorbent & Separation Media

Development of materials with tailored porosity, surface chemistry, or structure, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), zeolites, or superficially porous particles, for selective adsorption, ion exchange, or chromatographic separations.

Catalysts & Reactors
Who else files here? →
3since 2023
n/a
Biocide Formulation & Delivery Systems

Technologies focused on enhancing the stability, efficacy, spread, or targeted application of biocidal active ingredients through specialized carriers, adjuvants, encapsulation, or physical forms (e.g., gels, spray-dried particles).

Biocides & Pesticides
Who else files here? →
2since 2023
+100.0%YoY
Polymer Composites with Functional Fillers

Polymer compositions incorporating inorganic or organic filler materials to impart specific functional properties such as thermal conductivity, flame retardancy, electrical conductivity, or enhanced mechanical strength and dimensional stability.

Polymer AdditivesPolymer Working & CompoundingPolymer Compositions
Who else files here? →
2since 2023
new
Water Contaminant Remediation

Systems and methods specifically engineered for removing pollutants and impurities from water sources, ranging from groundwater decontamination to point-of-use filtration, often employing adsorption, membrane, or distillation techniques.

Separation Processes (Filtration, Distillation)
Who else files here? →
2since 2023
0.0%YoY
Solid-State Battery Manufacturing

Process and equipment for producing solid-state battery cells, including solid electrolyte synthesis (sulfide/oxide/polymer), thin-film deposition, lamination, sintering, dry-electrode fabrication, and stacking under controlled atmosphere.

Batteries & Fuel Cells
Who else files here? →
2since 2023
n/a
Water & Wastewater Membrane Treatment

Membrane-based separation for water purification, contaminant removal, desalination, and wastewater treatment, including reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, and forward osmosis modules.

Separation Processes (Filtration, Distillation)Water / Sewage Treatment
Who else files here? →
1since 2023
new
Gas Stream Purification

Technologies and systems for removing unwanted components or separating desired gases from a mixed gas stream, including adsorption, absorption, and membrane-based methods.

Separation Processes (Filtration, Distillation)
Who else files here? →
1since 2023
n/a
Biological Pest & Pathogen Control

Development and application of living organisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, viruses) or their natural derivatives (e.g., peptides, plant extracts) as agents to suppress or eliminate agricultural pests, weeds, or plant diseases.

Biocides & Pesticides
Who else files here? →
1since 2023
n/a

Patents

Page 1 of 2
US 20220010042 A1APPLICATION
C08F112/08

PROCESS AND HYDROCARBON SOLUBLE SALINE HYDRIDE CATALYST FOR HYDROGEN MEDIATED SALINE HYDRIDE INITIATED ANIONIC CHAIN TRANSFER POLYMERIZATION AND POLYMER DISTRIBUTION COMPOSITIONS PRODUCED THEREFROM

Filed:2021-02-25Pub:2022-01-13
Applicant:ALBEMARLE CORPORATION

This invention relates to processes for forming hydrogen mediated saline hydride initiated anionic polymer distributions via novel polymerization conditions in which molecular hydrogen is a chain transfer agent and a Lithium Aminoalkoxide Complexed Saline Hydride (LOXSH) forms an anionic polymer chain initiating species by addition of saline hydride to an anionically polymerizable hydrocarbon monomer. This invention further relates to polystyrene compositions having greatly improved microstructures free of co-product polymer chain distributions. This invention also relates to novel hydrocarbon soluble saline hydride catalyst and reagent compositions useful in conducting the hydrogen mediated saline hydride initiated polymerizations of this invention. This invention further relates to hydrocarbon soluble lithium hydride catalysts and reagent compositions formed from dimethylaminoethanol, an alkyllithium reagent and molecular hydrogen. It also relates to the catalyst forming processes, the use of the catalyst in hydrogen mediated anionic polymerization of styrene (HMAPS) and the resulting low molecular weight polystyrene distributions of low asymmetry and high “head to tail” microstructure.

US 20220002454 A1APPLICATION
C08F112/08

PROCESS AND HYDROCARBON SOLUBLE SALINE HYDRIDE CATALYST FOR HYDROGEN MEDIATED SALINE HYDRIDE INITIATED ANIONIC CHAIN TRANSFER POLYMERIZATION AND POLYMER DISTRIBUTION COMPOSITIONS PRODUCED THEREFROM

Filed:2021-02-25Pub:2022-01-06
Applicant:ALBEMARLE CORPORATION

This invention relates to processes for forming hydrogen mediated saline hydride initiated anionic polymer distributions via novel polymerization conditions in which molecular hydrogen is a chain transfer agent and a Lithium Aminoalkoxide Complexed Saline Hydride (LOXSH) forms an anionic polymer chain initiating species by addition of saline hydride to an anionically polymerizable hydrocarbon monomer. This invention further relates to polystyrene compositions having greatly improved microstructures free of co-product polymer chain distributions. This invention also relates to novel hydrocarbon soluble saline hydride catalyst and reagent compositions useful in conducting the hydrogen mediated saline hydride initiated polymerizations of this invention. This invention further relates to hydrocarbon soluble lithium hydride catalysts and reagent compositions formed from dimethylaminoethanol, an alkyllithium reagent and molecular hydrogen. It also relates to the catalyst forming processes, the use of the catalyst in hydrogen mediated anionic polymerization of styrene (HMAPS) and the resulting low molecular weight polystyrene distributions of low asymmetry and high “head to tail” microstructure.