Patent-based evidence synthesis on the use of nanocellulose in pickering emulsions: A quantitative assessment of assignees and geographical distribution

Title : Patent-based evidence synthesis on the use of nanocellulose in pickering emulsions: A quantitative assessment of assignees and geographical distribution

Abstract:

Pickering emulsions, stabilized by solid particles rather than surfactants, have gained considerable attention in recent years, particularly in the food industry, due to their advantages such as sustainability, low toxicity, and high stability. Among natural stabilizers, plant-based nanocellulose has emerged as a promising material, drawing increasing interest from both academic and technological perspectives. This study analyzes patent data related to the use of nanocellulose in Pickering emulsions, with the aim of evaluating technological trends, identifying leading assignees, and mapping global distribution. Patent analysis serves multiple purposes, such as avoiding the waste of time, labor, and financial resources by preventing reinvention of existing technologies; keeping track of current developments; generating new ideas and improvements based on existing inventions; and identifying potential licensees and licensors. In this context, patent data not only serves as a tool for technology monitoring but also provides a critical evidence source to support decision-making processes. In this study, a total of 238 patent applications retrieved from the Espacenet and Google Patents databases using the keywords “nanocellulose” and “Pickering emulsion” were examined. The applications were classified based on the type of applicant (university, company, individual), country of origin, and number of filings. Approximately 89% of the applications were filed by individuals or small entities with no institutional affiliation disclosed. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that 39 distinct universities have filed patents in this field, indicating that nanocellulose-based Pickering emulsion technologies are still largely in the academic development phase. In terms of geographical distribution, China led with 65 filings, followed by Canada (20), the United States (14), and international applications (23). This study maps the current state of knowledge on nanocellulose-based Pickering emulsion technologies using patent data as a primary source and provides a robust foundation for evidence-informed decision-making in this emerging field.

Biography:

Latife Çağla Çoklar is a Lecturer, RTTP, and certified Patent Attorney at Ondokuz Mayıs University, Turkey. She holds an MSc in Food Engineering and is currently pursuing her PhD in the same field. Her research focuses on bio-based functional materials such as nanocellulose and pectin, as well as green extraction and valorisation of agri-food waste. With over a decade of experience in intellectual property and technology transfer, she supports academia-industry collaborations through IP training and portfolio management. She actively participates in COST Action EU-NESA and contributes to sustainable food systems through evidence-based scientific practices.