Refinery Catalyst Global Market Report 2026

Refinery catalysts refer to chemical substances employed in the transformation of petroleum refinery naphtha into high-octane liquid products or in the reformatting process to modify the rate of chemical reactions and enhance the quality of the end product when treating petroleum, crude oil, and gasoline.

The primary types of refinery catalysts include FCC catalysts, hydrotreating catalysts, hydrocracking catalysts, catalytic reforming catalysts, and others. FCC catalysts are substances utilized to expedite the rate of a chemical reaction by reducing the activation energy in the petroleum industry. They play a crucial role in converting high-boiling point, high-molecular weight hydrocarbon fractions of petroleum (crude oils) into clearer petroleum end-products, such as light alkenes, high-octane gasoline, and aromatic middle distillates. These catalysts consist of major ingredients such as zeolites, metals, and chemical compounds, finding applications in diverse sectors such as oil refineries, chemical synthesis, polymer manufacturing, and others.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs have influenced the refinery catalyst market by affecting the cost of imported metals, zeolites, and specialty catalyst materials. Increased duties have raised operational costs for refineries, particularly in north america and asia pacific where catalyst imports are significant. Segments such as fcc and hydro treating catalysts have been most impacted due to their reliance on advanced materials. However, tariffs have also supported domestic catalyst manufacturing, local supply chain development, and investment in catalyst recycling technologies.

The refinery catalyst market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides refinery catalyst market statistics, including refinery catalyst industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a refinery catalyst market share, detailed refinery catalyst market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the refinery catalyst industry. This refinery catalyst market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The refinery catalyst market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $6.33 billion in 2025 to $6.72 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in global petroleum refining capacity, rising fuel consumption, expansion of petrochemical production, availability of zeolite catalyst technologies, demand for high octane fuels.

The refinery catalyst market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $8.34 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to stricter fuel emission regulations, rising demand for cleaner fuels, modernization of refineries, growth of specialty chemical production, advancements in catalyst formulation technologies. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for high efficiency fcc catalysts, rising use of hydro treating catalysts for cleaner fuels, growing adoption of zeolite based catalysts, expansion of catalyst regeneration and recycling, increasing focus on catalyst performance optimization.

The increasing demand for transportation fuel is expected to drive the growth of the refinery catalysts market going forward. Transportation fuels are energy sources used to power motor vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines. Refinery catalysts play a key role in petroleum refineries by converting crude oil into commercial products such as transportation fuels, engine fuels, and heating fuels. They accelerate chemical reactions that reduce heavy metals and harmful organic compounds, resulting in cleaner end products suitable for use as transportation fuel. For instance, in August 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), a US-based government agency, about 30% of all energy consumed in the United States in 2023 was used for transportation activities, including the movement of people and goods. Therefore, the rising demand for transportation fuel is boosting the growth of the refinery catalysts market.

The launch of hydro processing catalyst solutions is a key trend gaining popularity in the refinery catalyst market. Hydro processing catalysts are used to remove impurities and improve the quality of various petroleum products, such as diesel fuel and jet fuel. These catalysts promote chemical reactions in the presence of hydrogen gas (H2) to remove sulfur, nitrogen and other contaminants, as well as to saturate unsaturated hydrocarbons. For example, in July 2023, Advanced Refining Technologies LLC, a US-based company that develops and markets hydro processing catalysts for the petroleum refining industry, launched ENDEAVOR, a hydro processing catalyst solution to produce renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel from 100% renewable sources, such as vegetable oils, refined oils, animal fats and greases. The ENDEAVOR catalyst system consists of EnRich guard and hydrotreating catalysts and includes Chevron's industry leading EnHance isomerization catalysts, all developed specifically for processing renewable feeds and are crucial to produce high-quality renewable fuels.

In September 2024, Ravindra Heraeus Pvt. Ltd., an India-based mining & metals company, acquired Arora Matthey's catalyst and recycling site for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to enhance its capabilities in catalyst manufacturing and recycling. The company aims to strengthen its position in the metals market and expand its product offerings through this strategic move. Arora-Matthey Limited is an India-based company that specializes in manufacturing and supplying high-quality catalytic converters.

Major companies operating in the refinery catalyst market are Exxon Mobil Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec), BASF SE, Honeywell International, Chevron Corporation, W. R. Grace & Co, Albemarle Corporation, Clariant International Ltd., Sinopec Catalyst Company, Tokuyama Corporation, Nippon Ketjen, S-Oil Catalyst, Dorf Ketal, Haldor Topsoe, Johnson Matthey, Axens, Zeochem AG, Evonik Industries AG, Umicore, NIS a.d. Novi Sad, OMV Group, Grupa LOTOS S.A, Rosneft, Unipetrol Group, CRI Catalyst Company, Unicat Catalyst Technologies, Grace Catalysts Technologies, INNOSPEC Limited, Mottcorp

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the refinery catalyst market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the refinery catalyst market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the refinery catalyst market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain

The refinery catalyst market consists of sales of renewable catalysts, naphtha catalysts, residue upgrade catalysts and FCC pretreats catalysts. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Refinery Catalyst Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses refinery catalyst market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for refinery catalyst ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The refinery catalyst market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type: FCC (Fluid Catalytic Cracking) Catalyst; Hydro Treating Catalyst; Hydro Cracking Catalyst; Catalytic Reforming Catalyst; Other Types
• 2) By Ingredient: Zeolites; Metals; Chemical Compounds
• 3) By Application: Oil Refineries; Chemical Synthesis; Other Applications
• Subsegments:
• 1) By FCC (Fluid Catalytic Cracking) Catalyst: Zeolite-Based FCC Catalysts; Rare Earth-Based FCC Catalysts; Ultra-Stable Y (USY) FCC Catalysts
• 2) By Hydro Treating Catalyst: Cobalt-Molybdenum (CoMo) Catalysts; Nickel-Molybdenum (NiMo) Catalysts; Noble Metal-Based Hydro Treating Catalysts
• 3) By Hydro Cracking Catalyst: Amorphous Silica-Alumina Catalysts; Zeolite-Based Hydro Cracking Catalysts; Bimetallic Hydro Cracking Catalysts
• 4) By Catalytic Reforming Catalyst: Platinum-Based Reforming Catalysts; Rhenium-Based Reforming Catalysts; Bimetallic Reforming Catalysts
• 5) By Other Types: Alkylation Catalysts; Isomerization Catalysts
• Companies Mentioned: Exxon Mobil Corporation; Royal Dutch Shell; China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec); BASF SE; Honeywell International; Chevron Corporation; W. R. Grace & Co; Albemarle Corporation; Clariant International Ltd.; Sinopec Catalyst Company; Tokuyama Corporation; Nippon Ketjen; S-Oil Catalyst; Dorf Ketal; Haldor Topsoe; Johnson Matthey; Axens; Zeochem AG; Evonik Industries AG; Umicore; NIS a.d. Novi Sad; OMV Group; Grupa LOTOS S.A; Rosneft; Unipetrol Group; CRI Catalyst Company; Unicat Catalyst Technologies; Grace Catalysts Technologies; INNOSPEC Limited; Mottcorp
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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