The Global Oil Refining Catalyst Market was valued at USD 4.2 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 5.8 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.7% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This robust growth trajectory is primarily propelled by stringent environmental regulations for cleaner fuels, the expansion of refinery capacities in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, and the accelerating demand for high-performance catalysts that enhance yield and operational efficiency.

As refineries worldwide navigate the complex transition towards cleaner fuel production and operational excellence, the role of catalyst manufacturers becomes increasingly critical. These companies are at the forefront of developing advanced catalytic solutions that enable refiners to meet sulfur reduction mandates, maximize diesel and gasoline yields, and optimize processing of heavy crude oils. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Oil Refining Catalyst Industry—a mix of chemical giants, specialized technology providers, and energy sector leaders shaping the future of petroleum refining.

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🔟 1. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) Catalysts, Hydroprocessing Catalysts, Reforming Catalysts

BASF stands as a global leader in chemical catalysts, offering a comprehensive portfolio for the refining industry. Their catalysts are integral to processes that convert heavy oil fractions into valuable transportation fuels. The company’s strong R&D focus drives innovations in catalyst formulations that improve selectivity, activity, and longevity, helping refiners achieve higher profitability and comply with stringent fuel specifications.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Development of advanced zeolite-based FCC catalysts for maximum propylene yield

• Hydroprocessing catalysts designed for ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) production

• Commitment to circular economy principles in catalyst manufacturing and recycling

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9️⃣ 2. Albemarle Corporation

Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Key Offering: Hydroprocessing Catalysts, FCC Catalysts, Clean Fuel Technologies

Albemarle is a premier developer and manufacturer of refining catalysts, with a significant global presence. The company’s technologies are critical for producing cleaner-burning transportation fuels. Their hydroprocessing catalysts, in particular, are renowned for enabling refiners to process heavier, more sour crude slates while meeting stringent environmental standards for sulfur content.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Pioneering hydrocracking catalysts for high conversion of heavy gas oils

• Advanced resid upgrading catalysts for bottom-of-the-barrel conversion

• Strategic investments in catalyst regeneration and recycling services

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8️⃣ 3. Honeywell UOP

Headquarters: Des Plaines, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Integrated Refining Technology Solutions, FCC Catalysts, Hydrotreating Catalysts

Honeywell UOP is a leading international supplier and technology licensor for the petroleum refining industry. The company provides not only catalysts but also entire process design and licensing, offering integrated solutions that maximize refinery efficiency and product yields. Their RCD Unionfining® and Platforming® catalysts are industry benchmarks.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Catalysts for renewable fuel production, including biofuels and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)

• Advanced molecular management solutions for optimizing catalyst performance

• Digital tools for real-time catalyst monitoring and performance prediction

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7️⃣ 4. W. R. Grace & Co.

Headquarters: Columbia, Maryland, USA
Key Offering: FCC Catalysts, Additives, Polyolefin Catalysts

Grace is a world leader in FCC catalysts and technologies, serving refineries across the globe. The company’s expertise lies in designing catalysts that enhance the cracking of heavy hydrocarbon molecules into more valuable light products like gasoline and propylene. Grace’s innovations have consistently pushed the boundaries of FCC unit performance for decades.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Development of catalysts that increase light olefins yield from FCC units

• Specialized additives for emissions reduction (e.g., SOx, NOx) in FCC operations

• Focus on catalysts that enable refiners to process opportunity crudes efficiently

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6️⃣ 5. Clariant AG

Headquarters: Muttenz, Switzerland
Key Offering: Hydroprocessing Catalysts, Catalysts for Syngas & Fuels, Adsorbents

Clariant’s Catalysts business unit is a recognized global player, offering a wide range of high-performance catalysts for refining applications. The company is particularly strong in hydroprocessing, providing catalysts for desulfurization, denitrification, and dearomatization. Their expertise helps refiners produce cleaner fuels and adapt to evolving market demands.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Innovations in catalyst supports and active phases for enhanced activity and stability

• Catalysts tailored for pre-treatment of renewable feedstocks in co-processing units

• Commitment to developing eco-friendly catalyst manufacturing processes

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5️⃣ 6. Axens S.A.

Headquarters: Rueil-Malmaison, France
Key Offering: Complete Process Licenses, Hydrotreatment Catalysts, Reforming Catalysts

Axens is a leading provider of technologies, catalysts, and services for the conversion of oil and biomass to cleaner fuels. As a subsidiary of the French oil major TotalEnergies, Axens possesses deep refining expertise. The company offers an integrated approach, combining proprietary process technology with high-performance catalysts.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Leading provider of catalysts for renewable diesel and jet fuel production (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil – HVO)

• Development of bulk and supported catalysts for severe hydroprocessing conditions

• Focus on solutions that maximize middle distillate (diesel, jet fuel) yield

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4️⃣ 7. Johnson Matthey PLC

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Catalysts for Refining, Petrochemicals, and Emission Control

Johnson Matthey is a global leader in sustainable technologies, with a long history of innovation in catalysis. Their refining catalysts portfolio includes solutions for critical processes like hydroprocessing, reforming, and sulfur recovery. The company’s strong technical service supports refiners in optimizing catalyst life and unit performance.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Pioneering catalysts for the circular economy, including plastic waste recycling

• Advanced reforming catalysts for high-octane gasoline production

• Collaborations with refiners to develop customized catalyst solutions

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3️⃣ 8. Haldor Topsoe A/S

Headquarters: Lyngby, Denmark
Key Offering: Hydroprocessing Catalysts, Sulfur Recovery Catalysts, Synthesis Gas Catalysts

Haldor Topsoe is a world-leading supplier of catalysts and proprietary technologies for the refining and chemical industries. The company is renowned for its expertise in high-pressure hydroprocessing, enabling the production of ultra-clean fuels. Topsoe’s catalysts are designed for high activity and stability, even with challenging feedstocks.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Leadership in catalytic technologies for large-scale green hydrogen and ammonia production

• Development of robust catalysts for processing high-metal and high-asphaltene feedstocks

• Strong focus on R&D for carbon reduction technologies in the refining sector

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2️⃣ 9. China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec)

Headquarters: Beijing, China
Key Offering: FCC Catalysts, Hydrocracking Catalysts, Reforming Catalysts

As one of the largest integrated energy and chemical companies globally, Sinopec is also a major force in catalyst manufacturing, primarily serving the vast Chinese refining market and expanding internationally. The company’s research institutes continuously develop catalysts tailored to process crudes typical in the Asia-Pacific region.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Significant investment in R&D for catalysts that improve energy efficiency in refineries

• Development of catalysts for maximizing chemical feedstocks (e.g., para-xylene) from refining streams

• Expansion of catalyst production capacity to support domestic and international growth

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1️⃣ 10. Shell Catalysts & Technologies

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Residue Hydroprocessing Catalysts, FCC Catalysts, Technology Licenses

Leveraging the vast downstream experience of its parent company, Shell, this division is a key technology provider and catalyst supplier for the refining industry. Shell Catalysts & Technologies is particularly strong in residue upgrading, offering catalysts and processes that convert the heaviest part of the barrel into valuable products.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Proprietary residue hydrocracking catalysts (e.g., Hycon technology) for deep conversion

• Catalyst systems designed for gasification and hydrogen production units

• Integration of digital solutions for predictive maintenance and catalyst performance optimization

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Oil Refining Catalysts is Smarter and Greener

The oil refining catalyst market is undergoing a significant evolution. While the core demand for catalysts to produce conventional transportation fuels remains strong, the industry is increasingly driven by the energy transition. Catalyst manufacturers are innovating to support the production of cleaner fuels, the co-processing of renewable feedstocks, and the overall drive towards refinery decarbonization.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Stringent Fuel Regulations: Global mandates for ultra-low sulfur fuels (e.g., Euro 6, China 6) continue to drive demand for high-performance hydrotreating catalysts.

• Shift towards Petrochemicals: Refiners are increasingly targeting higher production of petrochemical feedstocks (like propylene, BTX), fueling demand for specialized FCC and catalytic cracking catalysts.

• Renewable Fuel Integration: Catalysts enabling the co-processing of biogenic feedstocks in existing refinery units or dedicated renewable diesel units are a major growth area.

• Digitalization and Predictive Analytics: The use of AI and data analytics to monitor catalyst performance, predict deactivation, and optimize regeneration cycles is becoming standard.

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Oil Refining Catalyst Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying essential materials for today’s refineries—they are actively developing the catalytic solutions that will underpin the sustainable transformation of the global refining industry for decades to come.