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Patent bases are still underused in academic studies. On the other hand, the development and implementation of cleaner production requires innovative solutions. The present paper aims to analyze the state of the art that uses the information in patents for scientific production and technological monitoring in cleaner production. Its construction is based on applying bibliometric techniques using the Scopus database, considering 1993–2022, and analyzing the basic characteristics of fifty identified publications. This analysis shows that the relationship between scientific production and technological monitoring of cleaner production through patents is still incipient. In contrast, most studies identified used patent data for statistical, economic and production evaluations, but not exactly on clean technologies and their evolution and application concerning the state of the art contained and available in patents. Patent documents present detailed information regarding products and processes, becoming a valuable data and knowledge source for sustainability research, where, among several possibilities, it is possible to identify sustainable technologies, emerging trends, environmental impact assessments of various processes, technical and economic viability, research opportunities, among others. • Necessary to promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, encouraging innovation based on the patents monitoring. • A reduced number of authors are part of the co-inventors network. • Patents should be used in academic and industrial studies to create research networks. • Patent monitoring is not yet being used to increase the quality of cleaner production studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]