Abstract: The application data of Chinese patents on flame retardant materials from 1981 to 2011 have been analyzed. The general development of the flame retardant materials was compared with other fields. The application situations of invention patent and utility model during the recent 30 years have also been discussed and compared. Furthermore, the development trends of different kinds of flame retardant patents have been compared together. Finally, the future development of flame retardant technology of China was prospected.

Key words: development situation, flame retardant technology, invention patent, utility model