Industrial Catalyst Market Report 2025

This report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market’s historic and forecast market growth by geography.

The industrial catalyst market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $25.47 billion in 2024 to $26.96 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to industrialization and manufacturing growth, advancements in chemical processes, increasing environmental regulations, expansion of petrochemical and refining industries, demand for cleaner and more efficient production processes.

The industrial catalyst market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $31.83 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for sustainable and green chemistry solutions, expansion of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, development of renewable energy technologies, increasing focus on hydrogen economy and fuel cell technology, emergence of new applications in emerging markets. Major trends in the forecast period include adoption of catalytic converters for emissions control in automotive and industrial sectors, development of catalysts for carbon capture and utilization, utilization of catalysts for bio-based plastics production, integration of nanotechnology in catalyst design and development, emphasis on circular economy principles in catalyst recycling and reusability.

The ongoing expansion of the petroleum industry is anticipated to be a driving force behind the growth of the industrial catalyst market in the foreseeable future. The petroleum industry, encompassing the entire oil and gas sector, involves activities such as exploration, extraction, refining, and marketing of petroleum products. Catalysts play a crucial role in hydroprocessing units, particularly in hydrotreating to eliminate sulfur and nitrogen impurities from crude oil fractions, thereby enhancing the quality of refined products. Additionally, in hydrocracking, catalysts aid in breaking down heavy hydrocarbons into lighter ones, increasing the yield of valuable products. A report by the International Energy Agency in August 2023 highlighted a projected 6% global oil demand increase, reaching 105.7 million barrels per day between 2022 and 2028. This growth is driven by robust demand from the petrochemical and aviation sectors. Furthermore, upstream investments in oil and gas exploration, extraction, and production are expected to peak in 2023, showing a year-on-year growth of 11% to USD 528 billion. Thus, the expanding petroleum industry is a key driver of the industrial catalyst market.

Major players in the industrial catalyst market are actively engaged in advancing their technological capabilities, exemplified by the adoption of additive manufacturing technologies. Also known as 3D printing, additive manufacturing involves the creation of three-dimensional objects by layering or sequentially adding material. An example is BASF SE, a Germany-based manufacturer of industrial catalysts, launching the X3D technology in September 2022. This technology's unique feature lies in its ability for 3D printing, resulting in catalysts with an open structure. This structure reduces pressure drop across the reactor and significantly increases the surface area, enhancing catalyst performance. The X3D technology allows for customization based on specific customer conditions and needs, involving the design of infill patterns, fiber diameter, and orientation. This innovation empowers customers to achieve heightened reactor output, superior product quality, and lower energy consumption, showcasing the industry's commitment to advanced features and flexibility in catalyst design.

In February 2024, BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions (BASF ECMS), a US-based catalysis and precious metals company, acquired Arc Metal AB for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is aimed at enhancing BASF ECMS's recycling and smelting capabilities, particularly across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) regions. By incorporating Arc Metal AB's expertise in recovering platinum group metals (PGMs) from spent auto catalysts and other secondary materials, BASF ECMS aims to expand its ability to serve customers in these key regions more effectively. Arc Metal AB, based in Sweden, specializes in the recovery of valuable metals, contributing to sustainable practices in the automotive industry.

Major companies operating in the industrial catalyst market report are Sinopec, BASF SE, The DOW Chemicals Company, Lyondellbasell Industries Holdings B.V., Honeywell International Inc., Ineos Group Limited, Johnson Matthey PLC, Evonik Industries AG, Chevron Philips Chemical Company, Arkema S.A., Albemarle Corporation, Dorf Ketal Chemicals India Pvt. Ltd., Clariant AG, Umicore N.V., ExxonMobil Chemical, W. R. Grace and Co., Axens SA, Topsoe A/S, Akzo Nobel N.V, Criterion Catalysts & Technologies, KNT Group, Zeolyst International, Anten Chemical Co. Ltd., JGC Catalysts and Chemicals Ltd., Univation Technologies LLC.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the industrial catalyst market in 2024. The regions covered in the industrial catalyst market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the industrial catalyst market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The industrial catalyst market consists of sales of aluminosilicates, nickel, iron and vanadium(V) oxide. 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).

Industrial catalysts are substances employed in the chemical industry to accelerate, initiate, or facilitate chemical reactions. Their role is crucial in reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste, and curbing the production of unwanted by-products. This results in enhanced efficiency and a more environmentally friendly approach to chemical processes.

The primary types of industrial catalysts include heterogeneous catalysts, homogeneous catalysts, and biocatalysts. Heterogeneous catalysts are substances whose physical phase differs from that of the reactants and products involved in the catalyzed chemical reaction. Various materials, such as metals, chemicals, zeolites, and organometallic compounds, are utilized as heterogeneous catalysts. They find applications in diverse industries, including petroleum refining, chemical manufacturing, petrochemicals, food processing, automotive and transportation, and other industrial processes.

The industrial catalysts market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides industrial catalysts market statistics, including the industrial catalysts industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an industrial catalysts market share, detailed industrial catalysts market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the industrial catalysts industry. This industrial 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 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.

This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.