This paper analyses the innovation dynamics in resource-intensive production processes. It is based mainly on patent data and distinguishes the technology areas durability, material savings, and recycling as well as the technologies promoted in the funding priority r(2) - Innovative Technologies for Resource Efficiency -Resource-Intensive Production Processes of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. In terms of patent dynamics, the first two areas keep pace with the general increase in patent applications, whereas patent applications in recycling stagnate on the world level as well as in Germany. The dynamics in the technological fields of the r(2)-funding priority deviate only little from this pattern. It is shown, however, that Germany's patent shares are lower for these fields. A country comparison shows further regional specialization patterns. The catching-up processes in rapidly growing economies such as Korea and China, are reflected here as well.