Alternative fuels

Alternative fuels are a key part of the shift towards cleaner, more sustainable energy systems. From hydrogen and ammonia to advanced biofuels and synthetic fuels, these technologies are reshaping energy supply chains and opening up new IP opportunities, and risks. At HGF, we help innovators navigate this dynamic landscape with IP strategies that support scale-up, investment, and global deployment.

The development and commercialisation of alternative fuels is closely tied to regulatory change, decarbonisation targets, and advances in adjacent technologies like carbon capture, electrolysis, and catalyst design. IP strategy in this space requires not just well-drafted claims, but also a deep understanding of evolving commercial ecosystems.

One of the key challenges in this sector is protecting complex, often multi-step processes that span chemistry, engineering, and energy infrastructure. We support clients in securing protection across the full innovation chain, from fuel synthesis and storage systems to end-use applications in transport, industry, and grid integration.

Our multidisciplinary team has deep experience in energy systems, green chemistry, industrial processing, and hydrogen technologies. Whether you’re an established energy company or a cleantech startup, HGF provides the legal and technical insight you need to protect your innovations and lead in the low-carbon energy economy.

Latest updates

Microplastics in blue water

Cleaning up the laundry: Innovations in mitigating microplastic contamination from man-made fabrics

Microplastic contamination is widespread across our environment, and there are growing concerns about its effects on human health and ecosystems. In this article, we explore the issue of microplastic pollution …

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HGF

Patent restoration

Inadvertent or accidental loss of patent rights can be distressing for patent holders and indeed for IP practitioners. The most common reason for restoration is when a patent has lapsed …

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SPCs for Combination Products – Will CJEU need to look again?

Key takeaways National courts have diverged on the interpretation of the EU Court of Justice’s latest decisions on SPCs for combination products – in particular on whether data in the …

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Event - 16th September 2026

Basel seminar - New developments in SPCs

VENUE – Der Teufelhof Basel, The Archaeological Cellar Join us on Wednesday 16th September 5:30 – 8:00 pm (CEST) for our seminar on the latest developments in Supplementary Protection Certificates …

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Playing Loose – CJEU asked to decide on combination SPCs

In a new referral (C-262/26), the EU’s Court of Justice has been asked to decide whether a medicine which receives a marketing authorisation (MA) as a monotherapy, but labelled with …

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Excipient or active ingredient? Look to the marketing authorisation…

In his recently issued (non-binding) Opinion in the Halozyme referral to the Court of Justice of the EU (C-456/24), the Advocate General has delivered a decisive “no” to the question …

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Six Sectors. Six Golds. Financial Times: Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms 2026

HGF has once again been recognised with ‘Gold’ rankings across all six sectors in the Financial Times Special Report – Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms 2026. We are one of …

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Pro = Active? CJEU asked to decide

In a new referral to the EU’s Court of Justice (C-794/25), the CJEU has been asked to rule on the question whether an approved pro-drug of a previously approved active …

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Let's talk

If you would like to discuss how HGF could help you, contact one of our alternative fuels specialists.