Top 10 Companies in the Refining Catalysts Industry (2025): Market Leaders Powering Petroleum Processing Innovations

In Business Insights
August 19, 2025

The Global Refining Catalysts Market was valued at USD 4.52 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 5.89 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.8% during the forecast period (2023-2030). This steady expansion reflects increasing demand for cleaner fuel technologies, stricter environmental regulations worldwide, and refinery capacity expansions across emerging markets.

As refineries globally upgrade to process heavier crude slates while meeting low-sulfur fuel specifications, advanced catalyst technologies have become the backbone of modern petroleum processing. Here we analyze the Top 10 Companies in the Refining Catalysts Industry—technology leaders enabling this critical transformation through continuous innovation.


🔟 1. Grace Catalysts Technologies

Headquarters: Columbia, Maryland, USA
Key Offerings: FCC Catalysts, Hydroprocessing Catalysts

A W.R. Grace & Co. subsidiary, Grace Catalysts Technologies dominates the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst segment with solutions deployed in 60% of global FCC units. The company enables refiners to maximize gasoline yields while meeting tightening sulfur specifications.

Technology Leadership:

  • Innovative zeolite and matrix catalyst formulations for FCC units
  • Advanced hydroprocessing catalysts achieving <10ppm sulfur diesel
  • Industry-leading catalyst regeneration and management services

Download FREE Sample Report: Refining Catalysts Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Albemarle Corporation

Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Key Offerings: Hydroprocessing Catalysts, FCC Additives

Albemarle’s catalyst division specializes in hydroprocessing solutions, particularly for ultra-low sulfur diesel production. Their STAR platform delivers industry-leading activity for hydrotreating applications.

Technology Leadership:

  • High-activity NiMo and CoMo hydroprocessing catalysts
  • Custom formulations for specific crude slates
  • Integrated technical service and optimization

8️⃣ 3. BASF Catalysts

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offerings: Hydroprocessing, Reforming Catalysts

BASF offers one of the industry’s most comprehensive catalyst portfolios, with particular strengths in hydrocracking and hydrotreating applications across global refineries.

Technology Leadership:

  • Innovative carrier materials enhancing catalyst performance
  • Proprietary metal dispersion technologies
  • Integrated process-catalyst solutions

Download FREE Sample Report: Refining Catalysts Market – View in Detailed Research Report


7️⃣ 4. Honeywell UOP

Headquarters: Des Plaines, Illinois, USA
Key Offerings: FCC Catalysts, Hydroprocessing Catalysts

Honeywell UOP integrates proprietary process technologies with optimized catalyst systems, delivering comprehensive solutions for refinery operations worldwide.

Technology Leadership:

  • Process-integrated catalyst designs
  • Advanced resid upgrading solutions
  • Metal passivation and sulfur management technologies

6️⃣ 5. Clariant Catalysts

Headquarters: Muttenz, Switzerland
Key Offerings: Hydroprocessing, Reforming Catalysts

Clariant provides specialized catalyst solutions with particular expertise in deep desulfurization technologies for meeting stringent fuel specifications.

Technology Leadership:

  • High-performance HYCAT hydroprocessing catalysts
  • Reforming catalysts for high-octane gasoline production
  • Solutions for biofuel processing

5️⃣ 6. Topsoe

Headquarters: Lyngby, Denmark
Key Offerings: Hydroprocessing Catalysts, Sulfur Recovery

Haldor Topsoe combines deep process expertise with catalyst technology, delivering integrated solutions for refining operations with a focus on operational efficiency.

Technology Leadership:

  • High-activity TK catalyst series
  • Advanced sulfur recovery technologies
  • Fischer-Tropsch catalysts for alternative fuels

4️⃣ 7. Axens

Headquarters: Rueil-Malmaison, France
Key Offerings: FCC, Hydroprocessing Catalysts

Axens provides catalysts alongside its proprietary refining processes, with particular strengths in residue upgrading and renewable fuel applications.

Technology Leadership:

  • Advanced residue conversion catalysts
  • Biofuel processing solutions
  • Integrated process-catalyst designs

Download FREE Sample Report: Refining Catalysts Market – View in Detailed Research Report


3️⃣ 8. Johnson Matthey

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offerings: Hydroprocessing, Reforming Catalysts

Johnson Matthey delivers catalyst technologies helping refiners improve yields while meeting evolving fuel specifications and operational challenges.

Technology Leadership:

  • High-performance reforming catalysts
  • Solutions for renewable diesel production
  • Emission control catalysts

2️⃣ 9. Sinopec Catalyst

Headquarters: Beijing, China
Key Offerings: FCC Catalysts, Hydroprocessing Catalysts

The leading catalyst supplier to China’s vast refining industry, Sinopec Catalyst is expanding internationally while developing tailored solutions for processing domestic crude slates.

Technology Leadership:

  • Customized formulations for Chinese crudes
  • Expanding R&D investment in advanced materials
  • Strategic technology partnerships

1️⃣ 10. Shell Catalysts & Technologies

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offerings: Hydroprocessing, FCC Catalysts

Shell’s catalyst business, building on Criterion Catalysts & Technologies’ legacy, provides solutions optimized for Shell’s proprietary refining processes and industry challenges.

Technology Leadership:

  • CENTERA hydroprocessing catalyst platform
  • Residue upgrading solutions
  • Integrated technical services

Get Full Report Here: Refining Catalysts Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🔮 Outlook: Catalysts Enabling the Future of Refining

The refining catalyst industry stands at a critical junction as global refineries navigate the energy transition while processing increasingly challenging feedstocks. Advanced catalyst technologies will be pivotal in meeting these dual challenges.

📈 Key Market Drivers:

  • Tightening global fuel specifications requiring advanced catalyst formulations
  • Increasing processing of heavy, high-sulfur crude oil streams
  • Demand for higher-value products from existing refinery assets
  • Expansion of refining capacity in Asia and the Middle East

The profiled companies are at the forefront of developing catalyst systems that enable refiners to maximize operational efficiency while meeting evolving environmental standards – proving that innovation in catalyst technology remains essential for the petroleum industry’s future.

Get Full Report Here: Refining Catalysts Market – View in Detailed Research Report