Hydrodesulfurization Catalyst Market Report 2026

The hydrodesulfurization catalyst market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $3 billion in 2025 to $3.19 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to stricter sulfur emission regulations, expansion of global refining capacity, rising processing of sour crude oil, increased diesel fuel consumption, improvements in refinery catalyst formulations.

The hydrodesulfurization catalyst market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.99 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for cleaner transportation fuels, tightening global fuel quality standards, expansion of refinery upgrades for heavy feedstocks, rising investments in advanced catalyst technologies, growing focus on refinery efficiency optimization. Major trends in the forecast period include advancements in high-activity desulfurization catalysts, increasing focus on ultra-low sulfur fuel production, rising demand for catalyst regeneration and optimization, growing adoption of high-performance alumina supports, enhanced catalyst stability for heavy feedstocks.

The rising demand for transportation fuels is expected to drive the growth of the hydrodesulfurization catalyst market. Transportation fuels, such as gasoline, diesel, LPG, jet fuel, and marine fuel, power vehicles with internal combustion engines. Hydrodesulfurization catalysts are employed in crude oil refineries to remove harmful organosulfur compounds, producing cleaner fuels for transportation. For instance, in September 2024, according to the American Public Transportation Association, a US-based non-profit organization, public transit ridership in 2023 reached 7.1 billion trips, a 16% increase compared to 2022. Therefore, the increasing demand for transportation fuels is fueling the hydrodesulfurization catalyst market.

Major companies in the hydrodesulfurization catalyst market are focusing on innovative solutions, such as sustainable hydrodesulfurization catalysts, to meet the growing demand for cleaner fuels and comply with stricter environmental regulations. A sustainable hydrodesulfurization catalyst is designed to remove sulfur compounds from fossil fuels efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner. For instance, in March 2024, Evonik, a Germany-based chemical company, launched Octamax, an advanced catalyst for cracked gasoline hydrodesulfurization units. Octamax combines NiMo and CoMo catalysts to enhance sulfur removal while maintaining octane levels. It also supports sustainability through regeneration and reuse of spent catalysts, reducing waste and reliance on fresh materials.

In November 2025, W. R. Grace & Co., a U.S.-based specialty chemicals and catalyst company, acquired ART Hydroprocessing for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition allows Grace to expand its hydrodesulfurization and hydrotreating catalyst portfolio by integrating ART’s advanced hydroprocessing technologies, supporting the production of low-sulfur fuels, including renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. ART Hydroprocessing is a U.S.-based provider of hydroprocessing catalysts, including distillate hydrotreating, resid hydroprocessing, and guard-bed hydrotreating catalysts.

Major companies operating in the hydrodesulfurization catalyst market are Albemarle Corporation, Advanced Refining Technologies LLC, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, Haldor Topsoe Holding A/S, Shell PLC., PetroChina Company Limited, Axens SA, JGC C&C, Honeywell UOP, Johnson Matthey PLC., BASF SE, Clariant AG, Dorf Ketal Chemicals, ART Hydroprocessing, Repsol S.A, W R Grace & Co, Chiyoda Corporation, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, Redkino Catalyst Company, Criterion Catalysts & Technologies, CRI Catalyst Leuna GmbH, Delta Catalysts.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the hydrodesulfurization catalyst market in 2025. North America is expected to be the highest-growing region in the hydrodesulfurization catalyst market during the forecast period. The regions covered in the hydrodesulfurization 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 hydrodesulfurization catalyst market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The hydrodesulfurization catalysts market consists of sales of iridium catalysts, aluminum-cobalt-molybdenum catalysts, zirconium catalysts and nanoporous catalysts. 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.

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