Global Refinery Catalyst Market 2025–2034

Reports Description

Global Refinery Catalyst Market was valued at USD 7.5 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 12.6 Billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period 2024 – 2033.

A material used in the refining of crude oil to speed up chemical reactions and increase process efficiency is called a refinery catalyst. These catalysts are usually solid substances that aid in a variety of processes that are necessary to convert crude oil into useful petroleum products such as diesel, petrol, and jet fuel. These reactions include cracking, reforming, isomeric formation, and hydro processing.

Refinery Catalyst Market: Growth Factors

Increased demand for petroleum derivatives

The market for refinery catalysts is mostly driven by the growing demand for petroleum derivatives. With the rise in global energy consumption, especially in industries like transportation and manufacturing that depend on petroleum-based fuels, refineries are under more pressure than ever to improve output quality and production efficiency.

In this case, refinery catalysts are essential because they enable critical procedures like hydrotreating, catalytic cracking, and catalytic reforming, which transform crude oil into high-value products like petrochemicals, gasoline, and diesel.

Stricter environmental laws and a growing demand for cleaner fuels highlight the need for cutting-edge catalyst technologies that facilitate the manufacture of low-sulphur fuels and lower emissions. As a result, the market for refinery catalysts is expanding rapidly as refineries throughout the globe look for cutting-edge catalyst solutions to fulfil the rising demand for petroleum derivatives while adhering to sustainability mandates.

For instance, according to the Oil 2023 medium-term market analysis, strong demand from the petrochemical and aviation industries will help drive a 6% increase in global oil consumption between 2022 and 2028, reaching 105.7 million barrels per day (mb/d).

This growth is based on existing government policies and market trends. Demand is predicted to peak in 2028, with yearly growth slowing from 2.4 mb/d current year to barely 0.4 mb/d. current is despite the cumulative rise in demand.

Rising strict environmental regulations

Refineries are being forced by increasingly stringent environmental laws to look for catalyst solutions that maximize process efficiency while reducing emissions. Strict laws require that dangerous pollutants released during refining processes, such as sulphur and nitrogen oxides, be reduced.

As a result, there is an increasing need for catalysts that facilitate effective conversion processes like hydrocracking and hydrotreating to enable the generation of cleaner fuels. Catalysts that facilitate the generation of low-sulphur fuels also comply with laws meant to lower car emissions and enhance air quality.

Refineries are making investments in cutting-edge catalyst technologies that maximize production costs while providing increased activity, selectivity, and stability to comply with regulatory standards. Consequently, the need to ensure sustainable and responsible refining while adhering to environmental requirements is propelling the growth of the refinery catalyst market.

Refinery Catalyst Market: Restraints

Fluctuating prices of crude oil

The refinery catalyst market is meticulously linked to the price of crude oil owing to the reliance of refineries on crude oil as their primary feedstock. Considerations on refinery investments are impacted by fluctuating crude oil prices, which have a direct effect on refining margins and profitability.

Refineries continue to reduce spending, notably purchases of catalysts, during periods of high crude oil prices since refining profits tend to decline during these times. On the other hand, refining margins increase during times of low crude oil prices, encouraging refineries to spend money on catalysts for process optimization and efficiency improvement.

Refinery catalyst providers face uncertainties due to the cyclical nature of the business since they have to deal with unstable price conditions. Long-term low crude oil prices may also cause refineries to postpone capacity expansions and maintenance, which would further reduce demand for catalysts.

Refinery Catalyst Market: Opportunities

Growing demand for catalytic reforming

The market for refinery catalyst is expanding due in large part to the rising need for catalytic reforming. A crucial step in the refining of petroleum is catalytic reforming, which turns low-octane naphtha into high-octane gasoline ingredients and yields useful feedstocks for petrochemicals.

Higher octane-rated fuels are becoming more and more necessary as environmental restrictions tighten and the world’s energy demand climbs. Producing these fuels is made easier by catalytic reforming, which transforms low-quality naphtha into components with a high-octane content.

As a result, refineries are spending money modernizing their catalytic reforming units and implementing cutting-edge catalyst technology to boost yield, enhance process efficiency, and comply with strict environmental laws.

The global market for refinery catalyst is driven by this increase in demand for catalytic reforming as refineries look for novel catalyst solutions to optimize their operations and remain competitive in the evolving energy landscape.

The most common method for creating refinery hydrogen and blend stocks for high octane gasoline is still catalytic reforming. Another important source of feedstock for aromatic petrochemicals (benzene, toluene, and xylenes, or BTX) is reforming.

Naphtha is reformed in more than 78% of refineries worldwide; its combined capacity accounts for 13% of all crude distillation capacity.  In catalytic reforming, there has been a recent focus on improving reactor internals, improving regenerating processes, upgrading existing units, reforming ultra-low sulphur, and low water naphtha, and improving catalyst and process modifications to optimize catalyst life and preference for hydrogen and BTX aromatics.

Refinery Catalyst Market: Segmentation Analysis

Global Refinery Catalyst market is segmented by type, application and region.  Based on type, the market is classified into zeolites, metallic, chemical compounds and others. Zeolites dominated the market in 2023 with a market share of 45.1% and are expected to keep their dominance during the forecast period 2025-2034.

Zeolites play a pivotal role in driving the refinery catalyst market owing to their outstanding attributes and flexibility. These aluminium silicate minerals, which can be found naturally or artificially, have a special porous structure with regular passages and cages that enable them to function as extremely effective adsorbents and catalysts in a variety of refining processes.

Zeolite-based catalysts are widely employed in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) units in the petroleum industry to help convert heavy hydrocarbons into useful lighter products like diesel and gasoline. Zeolites are also used in alkylation and hydrocracking procedures in refineries to boost process efficiency, improve selectivity, and provide higher product yields.

The ability to adsorb particular compounds selectively increases their usefulness in refining processes and makes them essential elements of contemporary refinery catalyst compositions. Consequently, zeolites drive innovation and advancements in refinery processes, contributing significantly to the growth and evolution of the refinery catalyst market.

Based on application, the market is classified into FCC catalysts, alkylation catalysts, hydrotreating catalysts, hydrocracking catalysts, catalytic reforming and others. FCC Catalysts dominated the market in 2023 with a market share of 33.5% and is expected to keep its dominance during the forecast period 2025-2034.

FCC (Fluid Catalytic Cracking) enzymes serve a pivotal role in the refinery catalyst market owing to their ability to transform heavy hydrocarbons into valuable goods such as diesel and gasoline. Its distinct structure and makeup enable the effective breaking down of intricate hydrocarbon molecules, boosting the production of highly sought-after fuels.

Furthermore, FCC catalysts improve refineries’ operational efficiency and process flexibility, allowing them to adapt quickly to changes in feedstock and market demands. FCC catalysts encourage investment and innovation in refining technology, assuring the production of cleaner and higher-quality fuels as the world’s demand for transportation fuels keeps growing.

Its broad use demonstrates how important they are in influencing the refinery catalyst market, spurring expansion, and fulfilling the changing demands of the energy sector

Report Scope

Refinery Catalyst Market: Regional Analysis

By region, Refinery Catalyst market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa. The Asia-Pacific dominated the global Refinery Catalyst market in 2023 with a market share of 46.2% and is expected to keep its dominance during the forecast period 2025-2034.

The demand for refined petroleum products has increased significantly as a result of the vigorous industrial expansion in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in nations like China and India. The need for sophisticated refinery catalysts is being driven by the need to build new refineries and expand and modernize the ones that already exist.

Furthermore, refineries in many Asia-Pacific nations are required by strict environmental restrictions to produce cleaner fuels with reduced sulphur and nitrogen contents. By eliminating contaminants, refinery catalysts such as hydroprocessing catalysts help transform heavy crude oil fractions into cleaner, higher-grade fuels. The use of refinery catalysts in the region is further propelled by a demand for cleaner fuels.

Additionally, a large amount of the world’s oil reserves are found in the Asia-Pacific area, which makes it a desirable site for refinery operations. Thus, the need for refinery catalysts in the area is still being driven by expenditures in refinery infrastructure and technological advancements.

Overall, the Asia-Pacific region plays a major role in driving the growth of the refinery catalyst market due to its fast industrialization, strict environmental laws, and critical position in the global oil industry.

Refinery Catalyst Market: Recent Developments

• In March 2024, Clariant, and Lummus Technology signed a contract with Huizhou Boeko Materials Co. Ltd., to provide their CATOFIN catalyst and process technology for the dehydration of isobutane at the new plant in Huizhou City, China.

• In January 2024, Johnson Matthey disclosed a USD 40 million investment in the fluid catalyst cracking additives space to improve its breakthrough features and strengthen its standing in this market.

• In March 2023, Evonik Catalysts broadened its production capacities for activated catalysts marketed under the KALCAT® and Metalyst® brands at its manufacturing plants in Hanau, Europe.

List of the prominent players in the Refinery Catalyst Market:

• Honeywell International Inc.
• Haldor Topsoe A/S
• Criterion Catalysts & Technologies L.P.
• Arkema S.A.
• Evonik Industries AG
• JGC C&C
• Exxon Mobil Corporation
• Royal Dutch Shell plc
• Chevron Corporation Albemarle Corporation
• BASF SE
• Clariant AG
• R. Grace & Co.
• Axens S.A.
• Johnson Matthey PLC
• Dow Chemical Company
• Nippon Ketjen Co. Ltd.
• UOP LLC
• Zeolyst International
• IFP Energies Nouvelles
• Others

These key players are adopting various growth strategies such as mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, expansion, strategic alliances, new product launches, etc. to enhance their business operations and revenues.

The Refinery Catalyst Market is segmented as follows:

By Type

• Zeolites
• Metallic
• Chemical Compounds
• Others

By Application

• FCC Catalysts
• Alkylation Catalysts
• Hydrotreating Catalysts
• Hydrocracking Catalysts
• Catalytic Reforming
• Others

Regional Coverage:

North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America

Europe

• Germany
• France
• U.K.
• Russia
• Italy
• Spain
• Netherlands
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• New Zealand
• Australia
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Rest of Asia Pacific

The Middle East & Africa

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• Kuwait
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America