Additive Manufacturing and Sustainability: analysis of 3D Printing Patents at INPI
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.19180/1809-2667.v27n32025.23526Keywords:
industrial property, emerging technologies, innovation, industry 4.0Abstract
3D printing, one of the emerging technologies of Industry 4.0, stands out for its multiple applications and growing sustainability trends, including the use of new materials. This article aimed to analyze invention patents related to this technology in Brazil. To this end, the methodology consisted of classifying 115 applications in the INPI (National Institute of Industrial Property) database that contained the terms “3D printing” or “additive manufacturing” in the title. The results revealed a significant increase in patent applications in recent years, accompanied by a growing concern in the development of alternative materials that aim to reduce the environmental impact of production processes. Notably, 62% of the applications fall into category B, referring to processing and transportation operations. It is observed that the majority of applications are still from non-resident companies, while Brazilian patents are predominantly from universities, which highlights opportunities for establishing strategic partnerships and joint development of innovations in this field.Downloads
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