Investigating the global technological competition in the LIB research: A multi-method patent content analysis

Block, Anton; Song, Chie Hoon; Leker, Jens

Abstract

With growing global efforts to achieve a low carbon economy, the role of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in decarbonizing industrial sectors has become increasingly crucial. However, despite global ambitions to foster the development of LIBs, issues related to resource availability, costs, supply risks and ecological impacts have emerged. This has led to an intensified global competition for technology leadership and energy independence. In this regard, technological competition analysis is vital to reveal the strategic positions of competitors and obtain competitive advantages. To address this issue, this study provides a new patent analysis framework that determines the strategic positioning of global key regions in the LIB market based on patent content. A multi- method framework comprising network analysis and topic modeling was used to understand the country- specific difference of material development trends and topic distribution. Analysis of 132,785 LIB patent families, comprising patent classification codes, patent abstracts and electrode materials mentioned in patent claims, revealed significant discrepancies in regional LIB development strategies. The findings showed that patent contents reflect the diversity of a region's research orientation, indicating no correlation between patent quantity and research diversity. Analysis of regional patent strategies further revealed the distribution of knowledge in specific research areas, suggesting which region might hold a technological edge. In this regard, efforts to reduce reliance on cobalt and nickel, which are both expensive and associated with environmental concern were identified. Finally, the findings could support policy makers and R&D managers for improving their regional competitiveness and serve as a guidance for directing future R&D investments.