The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity in carbon fiber wheels is driven by performance enhancement, weight reduction, improved durability, and reduced unsprung mass, and growing importance of technologies such as carbon fiber composite materials, autoclave molding, filament winding, resin systems, and curing processes. In the last three years alone, there have been over 720,000 patents filed and granted in the automotive industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Advanced materials in automotive: carbon fiber wheels. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over one million patents to analyze innovation intensity for the automotive industry, there are 300+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Carbon fiber wheels is a key innovation area in advanced materials
Carbon fiber wheels are a type of vehicle wheel made entirely or partially of carbon fiber composite material, which is known for its lightweight and high strength characteristics. These wheels are a popular choice for high-performance vehicles, such as sports cars and racing vehicles, as they offer improved acceleration, braking, and handling.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 40+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of carbon fiber wheels.
Key players in carbon fiber wheels – a disruptive innovation in the automotive industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to carbon fiber wheels
| Company | Total patents (2021 - 2023) | Premium intelligence on the world's largest companies |
| CITIC Group | 9 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Riba Composites | 7 | Unlock Company Profile |
| CARBOFIBRETEC | 12 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin | 8 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Topkey | 8 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Amer Sports | 14 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Shimano | 9 | Unlock Company Profile |
| ThyssenKrupp | 15 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Amsted Industries | 2 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Goodyear Tire & Rubber | 10 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Advanced International Multitech | 8 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Honda Motor | 2 | Unlock Company Profile |
| ElringKlinger | 6 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Porsche Automobil | 1 | Unlock Company Profile |
| General Motors | 2 | Unlock Company Profile |
| BASF | 17 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Bayerische Motoren Werke | 12 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Superior Industries International | 3 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | 4 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Takano | 2 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Mitsubishi Chemical Group | 11 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Ford Motor | 6 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Xiamen Keentech Composite Technology | 6 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Lacks Enterprises | 4 | Unlock Company Profile |
| KSM Castings Group | 3 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Carbon Revolution | 59 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Amer Sports | 8 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Specialized Bicycle Components | 17 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Taiwan Hodaka Industrial | 2 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Mad Fiber | 7 | Unlock Company Profile |
| SRAM | 30 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Shanghai Yongzheng Network Technology | 12 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Hayes Performance Systems | 1 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Dymag Group | 15 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Campagnolo | 32 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Tien Hsin Industries | 1 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Compositech | 3 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Gigantex Composite Technologies | 2 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Kunshan Henry Metal Technology | 1 | Unlock Company Profile |
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Carbon Revolution is one of the leading patent filers in carbon fiber wheels. The company developed a proprietary one-piece carbon fiber wheel construction known as the "monocoque" design. This design eliminates the need for a traditional wheel rim and spoke assembly, creating a single-piece structure that integrates the rim, spokes, and hub into a unified carbon fiber composite. Carbon Revolution employs innovative resin transfer molding (RTM) technology, a specialized manufacturing process that involves injecting resin into the carbon fiber preform in a closed mold under pressure. The method ensures consistent resin distribution and reduces voids, resulting in stronger and more durable wheels. Some other key patent filers in the space include SRAM and Campagnolo.
In terms of application diversity, Topkey leads the pack, while Xiamen Keentech Composite Technology and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Mitsubishi Chemical Group held the top position, followed by Dymag Group and Shimano.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the automotive industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Automotive.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
