Company patents

Ecolab USA Inc.

Ecolab USA Inc.'s patent strategy reveals a surprising recent shift, with a significant emerging focus on Separation Processes (Filtration, Distillation), which saw an explosive 375.0% year-over-year growth in 2025, now representing 3.9% of its portfolio. This contrasts with a notable decline in its historically strong Biocides & Pesticides category, which, despite being its largest at 13.0% of the portfolio, experienced a -18.2% decline in 2025 and a -69.4% decline so far in 2026, indicating a potential reprioritization of its core chemical offerings.

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.

906 US filings (since 2023) · 10 categories · 38 themes

Automated Additive Dispensing

Mechanisms for storing, dispensing, and monitoring the delivery of liquid or solid laundry additives (detergents, softeners) into the wash fluid, including diagnostics for ensuring correct operation.

Cleaning Processes
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188since 2023
-20.9%YoY
Specialty Solvents and Coolants

Formulated liquid compositions designed for specific industrial applications, such as non-flammable cleaning, thermal management in electronics, or as low-viscosity, high-flash-point base fluids.

Functional Materials (LCD, Lubricants)
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186since 2023
-10.2%YoY
Integrated Fluid & Chemical Dispensing

Systems for storing, heating, pumping, and precisely dispensing water or cleaning solutions within domestic appliances or cleaning tools. This includes cartridge-based systems, dissolvable cleaning agents, and controlled fluid delivery for optimal cleaning performance.

Domestic Cleaning Devices
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113since 2023
-16.2%YoY
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
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79since 2023
-45.5%YoY
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.

Water / Sewage Treatment
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67since 2023
0.0%YoY
Advanced Oxidation & Disinfection

Processes that use strong oxidants, electrochemical methods, sonic waves, or other energy-intensive techniques to break down organic pollutants, disinfect water, or facilitate contaminant separation.

Water / Sewage Treatment
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55since 2023
-38.1%YoY
Industrial Organic Synthesis

Methods and apparatus for the efficient and selective production of organic compounds, including amines, acids, and esters, often involving catalytic or continuous processes and purification steps.

Acyclic / Carbocyclic Compounds
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37since 2023
+100.0%YoY
Medical Sterilization Technologies

Methods and apparatus for disinfecting or sterilizing medical devices, waste, or environments, often employing radiation, chemical agents, or thermal processes, and including monitoring systems.

Sterilization & Biocompatible Materials
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37since 2023
-38.9%YoY
Intelligent Monitoring & Control

Systems and methods that use sensors, data analysis, and automation to monitor water quality, process parameters, or system performance, enabling adaptive control, predictive maintenance, or incentive-based management.

Water / Sewage Treatment
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34since 2023
+77.8%YoY
Cleaning Process Monitoring & Control

Integration of sensors, data processing, and control systems to assess the effectiveness of a cleaning process, detect contaminants, measure cleaning agent delivery, and optimize operational parameters for efficiency and thoroughness.

Cleaning Processes
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34since 2023
-7.1%YoY
Advanced Separation & Recovery Systems

Novel or optimized methods and apparatus for efficiently separating desired products, recovering valuable components, or managing effluents from complex hydrocarbon mixtures and refining processes.

Petroleum / Hydrocarbon Refining
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30since 2023
+375.0%YoY
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)
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27since 2023
-54.5%YoY
Automated Docking & Self-Maintenance

Systems and mechanisms that allow autonomous cleaning robots or devices to return to a base station for automated tasks such as mop washing, dustbin emptying, fluid replenishment, or cleaning of tool heads without human intervention.

Domestic Cleaning Devices
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26since 2023
0.0%YoY
Sustainable Fuel & Hydrogen Production

Systems and methods for producing fuels, such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), or hydrogen with a reduced carbon intensity, often leveraging alternative feedstocks, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, or integrated energy recovery.

Petroleum / Hydrocarbon Refining
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21since 2023
+33.3%YoY
Hydroprocessing & Desulfurization

Chemical processes that utilize hydrogen to remove impurities like sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen from hydrocarbon feedstocks, or to saturate aromatic compounds, often employing specific catalysts and process conditions.

Petroleum / Hydrocarbon Refining
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20since 2023
+25.0%YoY
Herbicidal Active Ingredients

Innovation in chemical compounds or optimized formulations specifically designed to control or inhibit the growth of unwanted plants (weeds) in agricultural settings, often with improved selectivity or reduced environmental impact.

Biocides & Pesticides
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17since 2023
-77.8%YoY
Water & Wastewater Membrane Treatment

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

Water / Sewage TreatmentSeparation Processes (Filtration, Distillation)
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16since 2023
0.0%YoY
Advanced Biomarker Detection Assays

Methods and compositions for identifying, quantifying, or characterizing specific biological molecules (e.g., nucleic acids, proteins, metabolites, antibodies) or microbial species, often for diagnostic, prognostic, or quality control applications.

Material & Chemical Analysis
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14since 2023
+250.0%YoY
Insect Attractants & Repellents

Compositions and methods designed to either lure insect pests to traps or away from crops, often utilizing specific volatile organic compounds such as pheromones, kairomones, or natural essential oils.

Biocides & Pesticides
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11since 2023
+25.0%YoY
Physical Water Conditioning

Non-chemical or non-biological methods that alter the physical properties or structure of water, often claimed to improve its quality or interaction with biological systems, such as vortexing or electromagnetic treatment.

Water / Sewage Treatment
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11since 2023
-40.0%YoY
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
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9since 2023
+100.0%YoY
Industrial & Bioprocess Filtration

Membrane and depth filtration for industrial separation, gas purification, and bioprocess clarification including cross-flow, dead-end, tangential flow filtration, and oil/water separation.

Separation Processes (Filtration, Distillation)Petroleum / Hydrocarbon Refining
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8since 2023
new
Precision Substrate and Wafer Cleaning

Specialized cleaning techniques and apparatus designed for removing microscopic contaminants, residues, or films from sensitive substrates, such as semiconductor wafers or flat panel displays, often involving chemical, mechanical, or plasma-based methods.

Cleaning Processes
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7since 2023
new
Modular & Specialized Cleaning Toolsfiltered

Design and material innovations for specific cleaning components or attachments, such as brush rolls, mop pads, scrapers, or multi-functional surface tools. These are often tailored for particular surfaces, debris types, or cleaning tasks to enhance effectiveness.

Domestic Cleaning Devices
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7since 2023
new
Sludge & Waste Valorization

Methods for treating solid or semi-solid waste (sludge, litter, industrial byproducts) from water treatment processes, often with a focus on reducing volume, detoxifying, or recovering valuable resources like energy (biogas), chemicals, or materials.

Water / Sewage Treatment
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7since 2023
-50.0%YoY
Sensor and Component Surface Cleaning

Technologies for removing contaminants from critical surfaces of sensors, vehicle parts, or industrial components, often involving automated or semi-automated processes. This can include physical, acoustic, or fluid-based methods to maintain functionality.

Cleaning Processes
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6since 2023
+100.0%YoY
Appliance Installation & User Ergonomics

Design features and accessories that improve the installation, storage, usability, and overall user experience of household cleaning appliances and manual tools. This includes mounting brackets, ergonomic handles, and integrated storage solutions.

Domestic Cleaning Devices
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6since 2023
-33.3%YoY
Wellbore Treatment Fluids

Specialized fluid compositions, including additives and inhibitors, used in oil and gas exploration and production for purposes like drilling, fracturing, cementing, corrosion inhibition, and formation stimulation.

Functional Materials (LCD, Lubricants)
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6since 2023
+100.0%YoY
Waste Plastic Pyrolysis & Upgrading

Technologies focused on converting waste plastics, residual polymers, or aromatic waste streams into valuable hydrocarbon liquids, gases, or chemical feedstocks through thermal or catalytic pyrolysis, followed by upgrading and separation processes.

Petroleum / Hydrocarbon Refining
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6since 2023
0.0%YoY
Liquid Crystal Compositions

Mixtures of liquid crystal compounds and other additives, such as monomers or carbon black, designed to achieve specific optical, electrical, or physical properties for use in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) or other electro-optical devices.

Functional Materials (LCD, Lubricants)
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6since 2023
-50.0%YoY
Biological Fluid & Air Filtration

Systems and materials designed for purifying biological fluids (like blood) or capturing airborne particles (like respiratory droplets) using membranes, filters, or specialized coatings.

Sterilization & Biocompatible Materials
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5since 2023
+100.0%YoY
CMP Slurry Formulations

Abrasive slurry compositions used in semiconductor manufacturing for planarizing wafer surfaces, typically containing abrasive particles and chemical additives to achieve specific material removal rates and selectivity.

Functional Materials (LCD, Lubricants)
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5since 2023
new
Controlled Scent Release Systems

Devices and methods for the regulated delivery, preservation, and emission of volatile chemical agents, often for fragrance or therapeutic purposes, within various environments or containers.

Sterilization & Biocompatible Materials
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4since 2023
new
Bio-derived Chemical Production

Methods for producing organic chemicals from biomass or through fermentation processes, often focusing on carbohydrates or fatty acid derivatives for food, health, or industrial applications.

Acyclic / Carbocyclic Compounds
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3since 2023
new
Industrial Solid-Liquid Separation

Equipment and processes for separating solid particles from liquid or gas phases in industrial settings, encompassing mechanical screening, filtration of molten materials, and various filter media designs.

Separation Processes (Filtration, Distillation)
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3since 2023
new
Functional Organic Materials

Synthesis and application of organic compounds designed to impart specific functionalities in material science, such as photosensitivity or charge transport, for electronic or optical devices.

Acyclic / Carbocyclic Compounds
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2since 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)
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2since 2023
new
Robotic Navigation & Mapping

Technologies enabling autonomous cleaning robots to perceive their environment, create maps, localize themselves within those maps, and plan efficient cleaning paths in dynamic spaces. This includes sensor integration, simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithms, and adaptive mapping techniques.

Domestic Cleaning Devices
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2since 2023
new

Patents

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