Top 10 Companies in the Zinc Oxide Desulfurizer Industry (2026): Market Leaders Purifying Global Industrial Gases

In Business Insights
February 22, 2026


The Global Zinc Oxide Desulfurizer Market was valued at USD 6.3 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 8.5 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.4% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This growth is being driven by stringent environmental regulations, expanding natural gas processing, and the critical need to protect catalysts in refining and chemical synthesis from sulfur poisoning.

As industrial sectors worldwide intensify their focus on emission control and process efficiency, the spotlight is on the key chemical suppliers who are driving innovation in purification technologies. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Zinc Oxide Desulfurizer Industry—a mix of established chemical manufacturers and specialized environmental technology firms shaping the future of gas and liquid purification.


🔟 1. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: PuriStar® Zinc Oxide Sorbents, High-Temperature Desulfurization Solutions

BASF is a global leader in chemical production and a major supplier of high-performance zinc oxide desulfurizers. Their PuriStar® range is engineered for high sulfur uptake capacity and thermal stability, making it ideal for demanding applications in syngas purification and natural gas sweetening across refineries and chemical plants worldwide.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of doped and nano-structured ZnO sorbents for enhanced reactivity

  • Focus on regenerable sorbent formulations to reduce operational waste

  • Extensive R&D partnerships with industrial gas and energy companies

Download FREE Sample Report:
Zinc Oxide Desulfurizer Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Clariant AG

Headquarters: Muttenz, Switzerland
Key Offering: Harshaw® Zinc Oxide Sorbents, Customized Desulfurization Catalysts

Clariant’s catalysts division is a key player in the desulfurizer market, offering specialized zinc oxide-based sorbents under the Harshaw® brand. Their products are renowned for high mechanical strength and efficient sulfur removal, serving the petrochemical and synthesis gas industries with a strong focus on catalyst protection and process optimization.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Tailored sorbent solutions for specific process conditions and feedstocks

  • Investment in sustainable production processes for sorbent manufacturing


8️⃣ 3. Johnson Matthey PLC

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Zinc Oxide Guard Beds, Purification Catalysts

Johnson Matthey provides advanced chemical technologies, including highly effective zinc oxide desulfurizers used as guard beds upstream of sensitive catalysts. Their sorbents are critical in ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen production plants, ensuring the longevity and performance of downstream catalysts by removing trace sulfur contaminants.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Integration of desulfurization solutions into broader clean technology portfolios

  • Focus on high-purity applications for the hydrogen economy


7️⃣ 4. Sinopec Catalyst Company

Headquarters: Beijing, China
Key Offering: Zinc Oxide Desulfurizer for Refining, S Zorb Adsorbents

As a subsidiary of the China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec), this company is a dominant force in the Asian market. It supplies vast quantities of zinc oxide desulfurizer to China’s extensive refining and petrochemical sector, with products designed to meet the specific demands of processing high-sulfur crude oils.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of sorbents compatible with domestic refining technologies like S Zorb

  • Large-scale production to support China’s industrial growth and emission standards

Download FREE Sample Report:
Zinc Oxide Desulfurizer Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Honeywell UOP

Headquarters: Des Plaines, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: UOP Adsorbents, Guard Bed Materials

Honeywell UOP is a leading international supplier of process technology and materials for the refining and petrochemical industries. Their zinc oxide-based adsorbents are used in guard beds to protect valuable catalysts from sulfur poisoning, ensuring operational reliability and efficiency in hydrocarbon processing units globally.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Providing integrated solutions that combine sorbents with process design

  • R&D focused on extending sorbent life and improving cost-effectiveness


5️⃣ 6. Axens

Headquarters: Rueil-Malmaison, France
Key Offering: Guardian™ Zinc Oxide, Purification Adsorbents

Axens offers a comprehensive portfolio of solutions for the oil, gas, and chemical industries, including its Guardian™ series of zinc oxide desulfurizers. These products are essential for the pretreatment of various feedstocks, helping clients meet product specifications and comply with stringent environmental regulations on sulfur emissions.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of specialized formulations for biogas and renewable feedstocks

  • Global technical service network supporting optimal sorbent application


4️⃣ 7. Shell Catalysts & Technologies

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offering: CRI Catalyst Sorbents, Sulfur Removal Solutions

Shell Catalysts & Technologies, part of Shell plc, provides advanced catalysts and sorbents to the global energy industry. Their zinc oxide desulfurizers are used extensively in gas treating units to remove H₂S, protecting downstream equipment and catalysts in Shell’s own operations and those of its licensed technology users worldwide.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Leveraging in-house operational experience to refine sorbent performance

  • Focus on solutions for sour gas fields and complex refining streams


3️⃣ 8. Sud-Chemie India Pvt. Ltd. (Clariant)

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: Zinc Oxide Sorbents, Activated Desulfurizers

As part of the Clariant group, Sud-Chemie India is a significant player in the South Asian market. It manufactures and supplies zinc oxide desulfurizers tailored to the region’s growing fertilizer, refinery, and chemical sectors, providing cost-effective solutions for sulfur control under varied operating conditions.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Localized production to serve the price-sensitive Indian market

  • Development of sorbents for medium-temperature applications common in regional industries


2️⃣ 9. Albemarle Corporation

Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Key Offering: Specialty Chemisorbents, Refining Catalysts

Albemarle is a global specialty chemicals company with a strong presence in refining catalysts and sorbents. Their zinc oxide offerings are used as protective guard beds in hydrocarbon processing, ensuring the integrity and activity of their high-value fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) and hydroprocessing catalysts.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Synergy between sorbent and catalyst development teams

  • Investment in high-performance materials for cleaner fuel production


1️⃣ 10. Sanju Environmental Protection

Headquarters: Shandong, China
Key Offering: Normal & High-Temperature Zinc Oxide Desulfurizers

Sanju Environmental Protection is a leading Chinese manufacturer specializing in environmental protection materials, including a wide range of zinc oxide desulfurizers. The company has carved out a significant niche by supplying cost-effective and reliable sorbents to domestic chemical plants, smelters, and gas producers, focusing on both single-use and regenerable formulations.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Focus on improving the sulfur loading capacity and crush strength of their products

  • Expansion of production capacity to meet growing domestic and regional demand

Get Full Report Here:
Zinc Oxide Desulfurizer Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Zinc Oxide Desulfurizer Is Smarter and More Efficient

The zinc oxide desulfurizer market is undergoing a significant evolution. While traditional formulations continue to dominate volume, the industry is investing in advanced material science, regenerable technologies, and specialized solutions for emerging applications like green hydrogen.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Development of nano-structured and composite sorbents for higher efficiency

  • Growing adoption in biogas purification and renewable natural gas (RNG) production

  • Increased demand for high-purity grades for electronics and specialty chemicals

  • Integration of digital monitoring for optimized sorbent replacement cycles

Get Full Report Here:
Zinc Oxide Desulfurizer Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying essential purification materials—they’re enabling the cleaner and more efficient operation of global industry.