Top 10 Companies in the Hydrotreating Catalysts Industry (2025): Market Leaders Driving Clean Fuel Production

In Business Insights
October 01, 2025

The Global Hydrotreating Catalysts Market was valued at USD 3.2 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 4.8 Billion by 2029, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.0% during the forecast period (2022–2029). This growth is being driven by stringent environmental regulations, rising demand for low-sulfur fuels, and the expanding refining capacities in emerging markets to meet global clean fuel standards.

As the refining industry shifts toward sustainable and efficient processes to reduce emissions and improve fuel quality, the focus turns to innovative catalyst providers who are advancing hydrotreating technologies. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Hydrotreating Catalysts Industry—a blend of chemical giants, specialized developers, and technology innovators shaping the future of cleaner petroleum refining.


🔟 1. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Advanced hydrotreating catalysts for diesel, gasoline, and renewable feedstocks

BASF stands as a global leader in catalyst production, supplying high-performance hydrotreating catalysts that enable refineries to remove sulfur, nitrogen, and other impurities from hydrocarbon streams effectively.

With decades of expertise in catalysis, BASF continues to invest in R&D to enhance catalyst stability and selectivity, helping refiners optimize yields and reduce operational costs.

Technological Advancements:

  • Development of zeolite-based catalysts for improved aromatic saturation
  • Partnerships with refiners for customized hydrotreating solutions
  • Focus on catalysts for co-processing vegetable oils in diesel hydrotreaters

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


9️⃣ 2. Albemarle Corporation

Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Key Offering: High-activity hydrotreating catalysts including Ketjen and KR series

Albemarle is a prominent player in the catalysts market, renowned for its Ketjen branded hydrotreating catalysts that deliver superior performance in deep desulfurization and denitrogenation.

The company’s commitment to innovation is evident in their ongoing improvements to catalyst formulations, which enhance activity under severe conditions and extend cycle lengths.

Technological Advancements:

  • Advanced nickel-molybdenum catalysts for ultra-low sulfur applications
  • Collaboration on catalyst regeneration technologies to reduce waste

8️⃣ 3. W.R. Grace & Co.

Headquarters: Columbia, Maryland, USA
Key Offering: Grace hydrotreating catalysts for lube oil and diesel refining

W.R. Grace provides specialized hydrotreating catalysts that excel in removing impurities from heavy feeds and producing high-quality base oils for lubricants.

Grace’s catalysts are known for their robustness in handling diverse feedstocks, including those from upgraded bitumen or synthetic crudes.

Technological Advancements:

  • Innovative promoter systems for enhanced hydrocracking integration
  • R&D investments in catalysts for renewable diesel production

7️⃣ 4. Honeywell UOP

Headquarters: Des Plaines, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: UOP Unicracking and Unionfining hydrotreating catalysts

Honeywell UOP offers comprehensive hydrotreating solutions through its Unionfining technology, which employs proprietary catalysts to achieve deep hydrogenation and impurity removal.

As a pioneer in process licensing, Honeywell UOP integrates catalyst development with engineering services, providing end-to-end support for hydrotreating upgrades.

Technological Advancements:

  • High-stability catalysts for processing high-aromatic feeds
  • Patented formulations for naphtha hydrotreating in petrochemical plants

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


6️⃣ 5. Haldor Topsoe A/S

Headquarters: Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
Key Offering: Topsoe hydrotreating catalysts like TK series for diesel and VGO

Haldor Topsoe delivers cutting-edge hydrotreating catalysts optimized for vacuum gas oil (VGO) and distillate hydrotreating, with a strong emphasis on high-activity cobalt-molybdenum formulations.

The company’s expertise in catalyst design extends to integrated refinery simulations, allowing for tailored solutions that improve hydrotreater economics.

Technological Advancements:

  • TK-600 series for deep desulfurization below 10 ppm
  • Advancements in catalysts for hydrodearomatization in lube base stocks

5️⃣ 6. Axens SA

Headquarters: Rueil-Malmaison, France
Key Offering: Prime-D and Nebula hydrotreating catalysts for fuels and specialties

Axens specializes in hydrotreating catalysts that facilitate the production of clean diesel, jet fuel, and kerosene through efficient impurity removal and saturation processes.

With a strong European presence, Axens collaborates closely with international oil majors to develop next-generation catalysts that align with bio-refining trends.

Technological Advancements:

  • CoMo catalysts with enhanced activity for renewable hydroprocessing
  • Targeted R&D for naphtha reforming integration

4️⃣ 7. Johnson Matthey PLC

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Katalco hydrotreating catalysts for sulfur and nitrogen control

Johnson Matthey provides a range of hydrotreating catalysts that excel in gas oil and distillate applications, featuring advanced precious metal and base metal formulations.

The company’s strength lies in its material science expertise, which drives innovations in catalyst morphology and dispersion for better diffusion and activity.

Technological Advancements:

  • LC-Fining catalysts for heavy oil hydrotreating
  • Sustainable catalyst recycling programs to minimize environmental footprint

3️⃣ 8. JGC C&C Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Catalysts for diesel hydrotreating and residue upgrading

JGC C&C focuses on high-performance hydrotreating catalysts tailored for Asian refineries, emphasizing efficiency in processing middle distillates and residues.

As part of the JGC Group, the company leverages engineering prowess to integrate catalysts with process designs, offering turnkey solutions for hydrotreater revamps.

Technological Advancements:

  • Development of trimetallic catalysts for improved selectivity
  • Collaborations on pilot-scale testing for new feed integration

2️⃣ 9. Sinopec Catalyst Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Beijing, China
Key Offering: Domestic hydrotreating catalysts for large-scale refining

Sinopec Catalyst is a key supplier in China’s vast refining sector, producing cost-effective hydrotreating catalysts that enable the desulfurization of straight-run and cracked distillates.

With a focus on localization and scalability, Sinopec invests heavily in catalyst technology to handle imported crudes and synthetic feeds.

Technological Advancements:

  • Indigenous NiMo catalysts for ULSD production
  • Expansion into hydrotreating for petrochemical naphtha

1️⃣ 10. CNPC (China National Petroleum Corporation)

Headquarters: Beijing, China
Key Offering: Integrated hydrotreating catalysts for upstream and downstream applications

CNPC develops and supplies hydrotreating catalysts for its extensive network of refineries, focusing on robust solutions for heavy oil and bitumen processing.

As a state-owned enterprise, CNPC emphasizes technological self-reliance, with R&D centers dedicated to advancing catalyst formulations for harsh operating conditions.

Technological Advancements:

  • Catalysts for hydrodeoxygenation in bio-oil upgrading
  • Strategic alliances for catalyst innovation in residue hydrocracking

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


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Hydrotreating Catalysts Is Smarter and Greener

The hydrotreating catalysts market is evolving rapidly amid the global transition to sustainable energy. Traditional applications in fossil fuel refining persist, but investments are surging in catalysts for renewable and bio-based processes.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Expansion of catalyst capacities for renewable diesel and SAF production in North America and Europe
  • Regulatory incentives for ultra-deep desulfurization, targeting sulfur levels below 5 ppm
  • Integration of hydrotreating with carbon capture technologies for net-zero refining
  • Growing partnerships between catalyst firms and EPC contractors for modular hydrotreaters

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

The companies profiled here are not only enabling cleaner fuel production today—they are at the forefront of the refining industry’s green transformation, ensuring a more sustainable energy future.