Top 10 Companies in the Catalyst Market (2026): Industry Leaders Driving Global Chemical Processes

In Business Insights
February 12, 2026


The Global Catalyst Market was valued at USD 26,812 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 36,280 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.4% during the forecast period (2026–2034). This growth is being driven by stricter environmental regulations, the expansion of refining and petrochemical capacities, and the accelerating adoption of advanced catalytic solutions for sustainable chemical production.

As the chemical industry transforms toward greater efficiency and lower environmental impact, the spotlight is on the key catalyst suppliers who are driving innovation, process optimization, and cleaner energy pathways. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Catalyst Industry—a mix of chemical giants, specialized technology providers, and sustainability pioneers shaping the future of industrial processes.


🔟 1. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Petrochemical Catalysts, Refining Catalysts, Emission Control Catalysts

BASF is a global leader in the catalyst market, offering a comprehensive portfolio for a wide range of applications from chemical synthesis to environmental protection. The company invests heavily in R&D to develop catalysts that improve process efficiency and enable sustainability goals.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of catalysts for plastic chemical recycling and renewable feedstocks

  • Partnerships with automotive OEMs for advanced emission control systems

  • Committed to achieving carbon-neutral growth by 2030

Download FREE Sample Report: Catalyst Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Johnson Matthey

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Refining Catalysts, Pharmaceutical Catalysts, Sustainable Technology Catalysts

Johnson Matthey is a specialty chemicals company with a strong heritage in catalysis. Its technologies are critical for producing clean fuels, pharmaceuticals, and other high-value chemicals, with a growing focus on circular economy solutions.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneering technologies for blue and green hydrogen production

  • Developing catalysts for the conversion of waste plastics


8️⃣ 3. Umicore

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: Automotive Catalysts, Precious Metals Chemistry, Rechargeable Battery Materials

Umicore is a global materials technology and recycling group, with a leading position in automotive catalysts for cleaner mobility. The company is expanding into catalysts for energy storage and conversion.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • World-leading expertise in closed-loop recycling of precious metals

  • Investment in catalysts for fuel cell and hydrogen technologies


7️⃣ 4. Grace (W. R. Grace & Co.)

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

Grace is a leading independent supplier of catalysts and specialty materials, renowned for its innovations in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) which is essential for gasoline production. The company serves refineries and chemical producers worldwide.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of FCC catalysts that enable refiners to process heavier, lower-quality feedstocks efficiently

  • Focus on catalysts that reduce energy consumption and emissions in chemical processes

Download FREE Sample Report: Catalyst Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Clariant AG

Headquarters: Muttenz, Switzerland
Key Offering: Catalysts for Syngas, Fuels, Emissions Control, and Specialty Chemicals

Clariant is a focused specialty chemical company with a strong catalyst business unit. It provides tailored catalyst solutions for the energy, mobility, and chemical sectors, emphasizing sustainability and innovation.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Sunliquid® technology for producing cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residues

  • Commitment to deriving over 60% of its R&D expenditure from eco-friendly products


5️⃣ 6. Shell Catalysts & Technologies

Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands / London, UK
Key Offering: Refining Catalysts, Technology Licensing, Technical Services

Shell Catalysts & Technologies leverages the global energy major’s deep refining and chemical expertise. It provides licensed process technologies along with high-performance catalysts, offering integrated solutions to the industry.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Catalyst technologies for blue hydrogen production and carbon capture

  • Supporting customers in the transition to lower-carbon operations


4️⃣ 7. Sinopec Catalyst Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Beijing, China
Key Offering: Refining Catalysts, Petrochemical Catalysts, Absorbents

As part of the China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec Group), Sinopec Catalyst is a dominant player in the Asian market. It supplies a vast array of catalysts to one of the world’s largest integrated energy and chemical companies, as well as external customers.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Significant R&D investment in catalysts for clean fuels and new energy applications

  • Focus on meeting China’s ambitious carbon peak and neutrality goals


3️⃣ 8. UOP LLC (Honeywell)

Headquarters: Des Plaines, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Process Technology and Catalysts for Refining, Petrochemicals, and Gas Processing

Honeywell UOP is a premier technology licensor and catalyst supplier, known for its integrated approach. It provides the processes and the specialized catalysts needed to run them, creating a powerful, linked offering for its clients.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Ecofining™ technology for producing renewable diesel and jet fuel

  • Technologies for converting plastics and other wastes into feedstocks


2️⃣ 9. Axens

Headquarters: Rueil-Malmaison, France
Key Offering: Refining, Petrochemical, and Gas Treatment Technologies and Catalysts

Axens provides a complete range of solutions for the conversion of oil and biomass to cleaner fuels, production and purification of major petrochemical intermediates, and natural gas treatment.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Portfolio of solutions for biofuels (e.g., Vegan® technology for renewable fuels)

  • Catalysts designed for energy efficiency and reduced environmental footprint


1️⃣ 10. LyondellBasell Industries

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA / Rotterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: Polyolefin Catalysts, Chemical Process Catalysts, Technology Licensing

As one of the largest plastics, chemicals, and refining companies globally, LyondellBasell is also a major producer and supplier of proprietary catalysts, particularly for polyolefin production.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Circulen product portfolio enabling the production of circular polymers from renewable and recycled feedstocks

  • Investing in advanced recycling technologies that require specific catalytic processes

Get Full Report Here: Catalyst Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Catalysts Is Smarter and More Sustainable

The catalyst market is undergoing a significant evolution. While traditional catalysts for refining and petrochemicals remain dominant in volume, the industry is investing heavily in sustainable and digital solutions that promise greater efficiency, selectivity, and environmental benefits.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Rising demand for catalysts enabling the hydrogen economy and carbon capture/utilization (CCU)

  • Accelerated R&D in biocatalysts and catalysts for chemical recycling of plastics

  • Digitalization of catalyst development and lifecycle management for performance optimization

  • Strengthening supply chains for critical raw materials, including precious metal recycling

Get Full Report Here: Catalyst Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only enabling essential chemical transformations—they’re spearheading the transition to a more sustainable and efficient industrial base.