The INPI (French National Institute of Industrial Property) has published its 2025 ranking of patent applicants. This year, Stellantis and Safran retain their 1st and 2nd places respectively, confirming the stability of French industrial leaders, while Renault Group enters the top three for the first time since 2010.

Key events 2025

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• Stellantis and Safran occupy the top two spots in the ranking for the 3e consecutive year, with 1,294 and 1,266 patent applications filed respectively

• Renault Group makes its debut on the podium in 3rd placee place with 746 patent applications

• Four mid-sized companies in the Top 50

• Strong French public research: 9 public institutions in the Top 50

• "Mobility" remains the most represented sector of activity, with 31% of companies in the field ranked

• 16,807 patent applications registered in 2025, an increase of 8,7%

Detailed description of the infographic

In a context of a sharp increase in patent filings in France, up 9% compared to 2024, this new edition of the patent filers' ranking illustrates both the sectoral diversity and the strong industrial base of our economy. The top three are comprised of major players in the automotive and aerospace sectors: Stellantis, Safran, and Renault Group, which makes its debut in the top three. Beyond the large industrial groups, the presence of four mid-sized companies and nine public research institutions confirms the robust health of French innovation.

Pascal Faure, Director General of the INPI

A stable Top 10

For the third year in a row, Stellantis et Safran occupy the top two spots in the ranking, with respectively 1 294 et 1 266 patent applications filed in 2025.

They are followed by Renault Grouparriving at the 3rde place, and which makes its debut on the podium for the first time since 2010. The car manufacturer records 746 patent applications in 2025, compared to 587 the previous year.

THEOréal moves back one place and positions itself at the 4e place this year, with 714 patent applications.

The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)CEA) remains the top-ranked public research institution (5e place, 568 patent applications).

Four mid-sized companies in the Top 50

Gaztransport and Technigaz (GTT), an engineering company specializing in liquefied gas storage and transportation systems, retains the 23e place (68 patent applications)

Soitec, specializing in the design and manufacture of semiconductor materials, it positions itself at the 25e place (66 patent applications)

Automotive Cells Company SE (ACC), specializing in the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles, climbs ten places and ranks at the 26e place (65 patent applications)

Vercor, specializing in low-carbon lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage, is at the 46e (30 patent applications). This company, classified last year as an SME, now meets the criteria for medium-sized enterprises, resulting in a change of classification.

French public research remains strong

With nine public research or higher education institutions present in the ranking, public research remains firmly established among the main patent filers in 2025.

Le CEA stands out as the only public institution in the ranking to have been in the top 5 for more than 15 years and retains the 5e place this year with 568 patent applications. It should also be noted that it leads the list of public institutions for patents in force in France in 2025.

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Discover palmaresbrevets.inpi.fr, the new data visualization website dedicated to INPI patent awards

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To coincide with the 2025 rankings, the INPI (French National Institute of Industrial Property) is unveiling a data visualization website dedicated to INPI rankings (national and regional). This new tool allows users to explore interactively, offering in-depth historical data on patent applicant rankings at the INPI since the study's inception. It thus provides unprecedented access to over twenty years of data.

• National ranking since 2004 with a dynamic visualization of the evolving positions of economic players over time and the volume of patent applications.

• Top regions since 2018, including a map showing the most active regions and local companies in terms of patent filings.

Source: https://www.inpi.fr//en/in-one/2025-ranking-of-patent-applicants