Top 10 Companies in the Global Refinery Catalysts Industry (2025): Market Leaders Revolutionizing Petroleum Processing

In Business Insights
July 03, 2025

The Global Refinery Catalysts Market was valued at USD 5.4 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 6.8 billion by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.9% during the forecast period (2024-2032). This steady growth is fueled by tightening environmental regulations, rising demand for cleaner fuels, and refinery capacity expansions across emerging economies.

As the petroleum refining industry undergoes transformational changes to meet decarbonization goals, catalyst manufacturers are innovating at an unprecedented pace. Here we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Refinery Catalysts Industry – chemical innovators driving efficiency improvements and sustainable solutions for modern refineries.


🔟 1. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offerings: FCC, hydroprocessing, and hydrocracking catalysts

BASF maintains its market leadership through continuous innovation in catalytic solutions. The company’s Nebula hydrocracking catalysts demonstrate industry-leading stability, while their Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) catalysts help refineries optimize gasoline yields from heavier feedstocks.

Technological Advancements:

  • Pioneered multi-metal FCC catalyst technology
  • Strategic joint ventures with Sinopec in Asia-Pacific
  • Developing next-generation bio-renewable catalysts

Download FREE Sample Report: https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/download-sample/151502/global-refinery-catalysts-market-2022-729


9️⃣ 2. Albemarle Corporation

Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Key Offerings: FCC catalysts, hydroprocessing catalysts

Albemarle specializes in high-performance catalysts that help refiners meet stringent sulfur reduction mandates. The company’s STAR catalyst series is widely adopted for residue upgrading applications across global refineries.

Technological Advancements:

  • Market leader in zeolite-based catalyst technology
  • Expanding Asian manufacturing footprint through joint ventures

8️⃣ 3. Honeywell UOP

Headquarters: Des Plaines, Illinois, USA
Key Offerings: Hydroprocessing, reforming, and isomerization catalysts

Honeywell UOP’s proprietary catalyst systems enable refiners to produce ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) meeting the most stringent 10ppm standards. Their technologies are deployed in over 60% of global refining capacity.

Technological Advancements:

  • Developer of the RCD Unionfining process technology
  • Innovator in residue hydroconversion catalysts

7️⃣ 4. W.R. Grace & Co.

Headquarters: Columbia, Maryland, USA
Key Offerings: FCC catalysts and additives

Grace serves over 60% of global FCC capacity with its advanced catalytic solutions. The company’s latest mesoporous zeolite technology increases light olefin production by 15-20% while reducing catalyst consumption.

Technological Advancements:

  • Industry leader in FCC bottoms upgrading
  • Pioneered metal trap solutions for FCC units

Download FREE Sample Report: https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/download-sample/151502/global-refinery-catalysts-market-2022-729


6️⃣ 5. Axens SA

Headquarters: Rueil-Malmaison, France
Key Offerings: Hydroprocessing, reforming catalysts

Axens provides complete refining solutions with particular expertise in hydroprocessing. Their HyK catalyst series enables processing of heavier, higher-sulfur crudes while complying with emissions requirements.

Technological Advancements:

  • Developer of Prime-G+ gasoline desulfurization
  • Strong Middle East presence through local partnerships

5️⃣ 6. Clariant AG

Headquarters: Muttenz, Switzerland
Key Offerings: Hydroprocessing, FCC catalysts

Clariant has emerged as a key player in hydrocracking and hydrotreating applications, with catalysts demonstrating 98% conversion efficiency for renewable feedstocks.

Technological Advancements:

  • Advanced metal recovery from spent catalysts
  • Developing catalysts for biofeed co-processing

4️⃣ 7. Haldor Topsoe

Headquarters: Lyngby, Denmark
Key Offerings: Hydroprocessing, sulfur recovery catalysts

Haldor Topsoe specializes in high-performance hydroprocessing catalysts and proprietary reactor technologies. Their BRIM catalyst series is widely used for ULSD production.

Technological Advancements:

  • Advanced guard bed catalyst systems
  • Lead innovator in renewable diesel catalysts

3️⃣ 8. Johnson Matthey

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offerings: Reforming, hydroprocessing catalysts

Johnson Matthey provides advanced catalytic solutions with a focus on platforming and precious metal-based catalysts, recently launching bio-based catalyst formulations.

Technological Advancements:

  • Developer of Low Pressure CCR Platforming
  • Investing in catalyst recycling technologies

Download FREE Sample Report: https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/download-sample/151502/global-refinery-catalysts-market-2022-729


2️⃣ 9. Sinopec Catalyst Company

Headquarters: Beijing, China
Key Offerings: FCC, hydroprocessing catalysts

As China’s leading catalyst producer, Sinopec supports the country’s extensive refining capacity. The company operates the world’s largest regeneration facility in Zibo with 25,000 tons/year capacity.

Technological Advancements:

  • Developing catalysts for high-sulfur domestic crudes
  • Expanding into biofuels catalyst segments

1️⃣ 10. ExxonMobil Catalysts and Licensing

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offerings: FCC, hydroprocessing catalysts

ExxonMobil leverages its extensive refining experience to develop proprietary catalyst technologies designed to maximize propylene yield from heavier feedstocks.

Technological Advancements:

  • Advanced matrix technology for residue upgrading
  • Developing formulations for renewable feedstocks

Get Full Report Here: https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/reports/151502/global-refinery-catalysts-market-2022-729


🌍 Future Outlook: Catalyst Innovation Driving Sustainable Refining

The refinery catalysts market stands at an inflection point, balancing traditional petroleum processing needs with the transition to lower-carbon operations. While FCC and hydroprocessing catalysts still dominate, the industry is rapidly evolving toward solutions that enable processing of alternative feedstocks and circular economy models.

📈 Key Market Trends:

  • Accelerated adoption of high-activity zeolite FCC catalysts
  • Growing demand for residue upgrading solutions in Asia and Middle East
  • Development of specialized biofeed co-processing catalysts
  • Integration of digital monitoring for performance optimization

Get Full Report Here: https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/reports/151502/global-refinery-catalysts-market-2022-729

The companies profiled above are not only serving today’s refining needs but are actively developing the catalyst technologies that will enable the industry’s sustainable transformation through 2032 and beyond.