Top 10 Companies in the Acetylene Conversion Catalysts Industry (2025): Market Leaders Powering Petrochemical Innovation

In Business Insights
August 14, 2025

The Global Acetylene Conversion Catalysts Market was valued at USD 178.5 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 245.3 Million by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.7% during the forecast period (2024-2030). This growth is driven by increasing polyethylene demand, stricter environmental regulations, and advancements in selective hydrogenation technologies that enhance ethylene purification efficiency.

As the petrochemical industry evolves toward more sustainable production methods, acetylene removal catalysts play a critical role in optimizing ethylene output and reducing energy consumption. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Acetylene Conversion Catalysts Industry – global chemical leaders and specialty catalyst developers transforming olefin production worldwide.


🔟 1. Johnson Matthey

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Selective hydrogenation catalysts, acetylene removal systems

Johnson Matthey leads the global catalyst market with proprietary technologies for acetylene conversion in ethylene plants. Their solutions achieve >99% acetylene removal while minimizing ethylene losses.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Dual-function catalysts for simultaneous hydrogenation and isomerization

  • Palladium-based formulations with extended operating lifetimes

  • Global network of catalyst regeneration facilities

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


9️⃣ 2. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: OLEMAX series hydrogenation catalysts

BASF’s catalyst division delivers high-performance solutions for both front-end and tail-end acetylene conversion applications, with patented alumina support technology enhancing thermal stability.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Catalysts designed for naphtha and gas cracking processes

  • Low-temperature operation capabilities


8️⃣ 3. Clariant

Headquarters: Muttenz, Switzerland
Key Offering: Hydrobon catalysts, pretreatment systems

Clariant provides comprehensive catalyst solutions for ethylene purification, including specialized guard beds for feed cleanup and tailored hydrogenation formulations.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Guard bed media removing arsenic and sulfur compounds

  • Multi-metal catalyst formulations


7️⃣ 4. Haldor Topsoe

Headquarters: Lyngby, Denmark
Key Offering: TK series acetylene hydrogenation catalysts

Haldor Topsoe designs durable catalysts with superior resistance to fouling and thermal degradation, particularly favored in Asian ethylene markets.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Proprietary catalyst stabilization technology

  • Solutions for high-CO feed streams

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


6️⃣ 5. UOP (Honeywell)

Headquarters: Des Plaines, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Integrated catalyst and process technology

UOP combines its catalyst expertise with proprietary ethylene process technology, offering customized solutions for diverse feedstocks and operating conditions.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Complete reactor system designs

  • Advanced process control integration


5️⃣ 6. Axens

Headquarters: Rueil-Malmaison, France
Key Offering: AR series selective hydrogenation catalysts

Axens provides robust catalyst solutions designed to handle varying feed compositions and maintain performance under challenging operating conditions.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Quick-start catalyst activation

  • Custom formulations for revamp projects


4️⃣ 7. Sinopec Catalyst Company

Headquarters: Beijing, China
Key Offering: Domestic catalyst solutions for Chinese ethylene producers

As China’s largest catalyst manufacturer, Sinopec supplies cost-effective alternatives to international catalyst brands, optimized for local feedstocks.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Localized R&D and production

  • Tailored solutions for coal-to-olefins processes


3️⃣ 8. Shell Catalysts & Technologies

Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands
Key Offering: Integrated acetylene removal systems

Shell combines its catalyst technologies with proprietary process knowledge from global ethylene operations, offering optimized solutions for acetylene conversion.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Catalyst systems for mixed C2 streams

  • Performance monitoring services


2️⃣ 9. Univation Technologies

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Polyethylene process catalyst systems

Univation specializes in complete catalyst solutions for ethylene purification chains, particularly for its UNIPOL PE process technology.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Integrated approach from feed purification to polymerization

  • Gas-phase process optimizations

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


1️⃣ 10. China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec)

Headquarters: Beijing, China
Key Offering: Comprehensive petrochemical catalysts

Sinopec has rapidly expanded its catalyst capabilities, developing domestic solutions that increasingly compete with international technologies in China’s growing ethylene market.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Growing investment in catalyst R&D

  • Special formulations for Asian feedstocks

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


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Acetylene Conversion Catalysts (2025-2030)

The acetylene conversion catalyst market is undergoing significant transformation as producers seek higher efficiency solutions to meet growing ethylene demand and tightening environmental standards.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Development of multi-functional catalysts combining acetylene removal with other purification steps

  • Formulations enabling operation at lower temperatures to reduce energy consumption

  • Growing adoption in Asia-Pacific’s expanding ethylene production base

  • Integration of digital monitoring for predictive catalyst maintenance

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

The companies profiled above are driving innovation in catalytic technologies that enhance ethylene production efficiency and support the global transition toward sustainable petrochemical manufacturing.