PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1928047
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1928047
Precious metal catalysts refer to noble metal catalysts with distinctive properties, possessing a partially filled d-orbital that allows them to either donate or accept electrons depending on the type of reaction. These catalysts consistently demonstrate strong catalytic activity and selectivity, facilitating chemical reactions by reducing the energy barrier between reactants and products.
The main types of precious metal catalysts include platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, and others. Platinum, for instance, is a soft, ductile, malleable, silver-white metallic element utilized in catalytic converters, electrical contacts, pacemakers, drugs, and magnets. Precious metal catalysts find application in various types of reactions such as hydrogenation, asymmetric hydrogenation, reductive amination, alkylation, carbonylation, and more. These catalysts are employed in diverse industries, including automotive, refining, petrochemicals, oil and mining, among 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 on imported precious metal catalysts have impacted the market by increasing costs and affecting supply chains. Segments such as platinum, palladium, rhodium, and iridium catalysts are most affected, particularly in north america, europe, and asia-pacific regions. While tariffs have raised production expenses, they have also encouraged domestic manufacturing, promoted local sourcing, and spurred innovation in recyclable and specialty catalyst technologies.
The precious metal catalysts market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides precious metal catalysts market statistics, including precious metal catalysts industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a precious metal catalysts market share, detailed precious metal catalysts market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the precious metal catalysts industry. This precious metal catalysts 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 precious metal catalysts market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $17.14 billion in 2025 to $18.36 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in automotive catalytic converters, rising demand in refining and petrochemical industries, increasing oil and gas applications, expansion of chemical synthesis processes, development of specialty catalysts for industrial reactions.
The precious metal catalysts market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $23.82 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing adoption in emission control technologies, rising need for high-efficiency automotive catalysts, growth in renewable chemical production, expansion of fine chemical and pharmaceutical applications, development of advanced precious metal catalyst formulations. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of supported platinum catalysts, rising adoption of homogeneous palladium catalysts, growing implementation of platinum-group and palladium-group metal alloys, increasing development of rhodium, iridium, and ruthenium catalysts, rising focus on recyclable and specialty precious metal catalysts.
Rising demand for precious metal catalysts in the automotive sector is expected to support the growth of the precious metal catalyst market. In the automotive industry, these catalysts are used in applications such as fuel-cell vehicles, electric vehicle cathode materials, and traditional automotive catalytic systems. Precious metals play a crucial role in enabling advanced technologies for electric and fuel-cell vehicles as the industry continues to expand. For example, in 2024, the International Platinum Group Metals Association reported that the automotive industry accounted for more than 80% of total demand for platinum-group metals, with 61% of newly produced PGMs directed toward automotive uses. Therefore, increasing demand for precious metal catalysts is contributing to the expansion of the precious metal catalyst market.
Companies in the precious metal catalyst market are developing next-generation electrode catalyst technologies to improve safety, performance, and energy efficiency in hydrogen production. These advanced catalysts are designed for proton-exchange-membrane (PEM) water electrolysis and help reduce hydrogen crossover, improving both operational safety and system efficiency. For instance, in June 2025, TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES developed a new electrode catalyst that has already been commercially deployed and recognized by the Catalyst Manufacturers Association of Japan with the 2025 Technology Award. The innovation demonstrates practical progress in clean energy production and supports continued advancement in sustainable hydrogen technology.
In September 2024, Ravindra Heraeus Pvt. Ltd., an India-based mining and metals company, acquired Arora Matthey's catalyst and recycling site for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is intended to enhance Ravindra Heraeus's catalyst manufacturing and recycling capabilities, reinforcing its position in the metals market and expanding its product portfolio. Arora Matthey Limited, based in India, specializes in producing high-quality catalytic converters.
Major companies operating in the precious metal catalysts market report are Johnson Matthey Plc, BASF SE, Umicore SA, Heraeus Holding GmbH, Clariant AG, Haldor Topsoe A/S, Sino-Platinum Metals Co. Ltd., Kaili Catalyst & New Materials Co. Ltd., Zibo Jiulong Chemical Co. Ltd., Xi'an Catalyst Chemical Co. Ltd., Vineeth Precious Catalysts Pvt. Ltd., Indian Platinum Pvt. Ltd., Hindustan Platinum Pvt. Ltd., Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo Co. Ltd., Metalor Technologies SA, CDTi Advanced Materials Inc., Dorf Ketal Chemicals India Pvt. Ltd., Nobilis PGM BV, Shaanxi Kai Da Chemical Co. Ltd., Zibo Debang Chemical Co. Ltd., Shaanxi Hexin Catalyst Co. Ltd., Beijing Catalyst Research Institute Co. Ltd.
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the precious metal catalyst market in 2025 and is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the precious metal catalysts market are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the precious metal catalysts market are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The precious metal catalyst market consists of sales of iridium, gold, and silver. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
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.
Precious Metal Catalysts 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 precious metal catalysts 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.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for precious metal catalysts ? 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 precious metal catalysts 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.
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