China tops global rankings in nanotechnology patents

China has become the leading country in nanotechnology patents, holding more than 464,000 over the past 25 years. The report was presented at the 10th International Conference on Nanoscience and Technology held in Beijing, according to Сhina Daily, a partner of TV BRICS.

Between 2000 and May 2025, over 1.07 million nanotechnology patents were granted worldwide. China’s share reflects both rapid research output and increasing industrial application, with patents concentrated in areas such as new building materials, advanced coatings, catalytic chemistry, semiconductor devices and biomedicine.

The number of nanotechnology enterprises in China has grown sharply, from just over 3,000 in 2000 to 35,000 by May 2025. Employment in the sector nearly doubled in the same period, reaching 9.92 million workers.

Bai Chunli, Chair of the conference and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said nanotechnology is driving progress in green energy, biomedicine and information technology, while supporting the emergence of new productive forces. He added that artificial intelligence is creating new opportunities by reshaping research methods.