Global Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Report 2026–2036
Western Market Research projects that the Global Hydrotreating Catalysts Market was valued at USD XXXX million in 2025 and is anticipated to reach USD XXXX million by 2036, expanding at a CAGR of XX% during the forecast period.
Market Overview
Hydrotreating catalysts are critical process materials used in petroleum refining to remove impurities such as sulfur, nitrogen, metals, and aromatics from hydrocarbon streams. These catalysts play a strategic role in enabling refineries to comply with ultra-low sulfur fuel standards and enhance product quality.
The market is influenced by:
-
Increasing demand for cleaner fuels
-
Stringent environmental regulations
-
Rising refinery modernization projects
-
Growing energy demand in emerging economies
-
Expansion of petrochemical integration facilities
The study integrates primary industry interviews with refinery operators, catalyst suppliers, and EPC companies, along with secondary validation from regulatory data, trade statistics, and technical publications.
Impact of COVID-19
The pandemic temporarily disrupted refining activity due to:
-
Reduced transportation fuel demand
-
Refinery shutdowns and maintenance delays
-
Supply chain bottlenecks
However, post-pandemic recovery has driven refinery utilization rates upward, accelerating catalyst replacement cycles and boosting demand for high-performance hydrotreating catalysts.
Market Segmentation Analysis
By Catalyst Type
-
Load Type Catalysts
Installed within fixed-bed reactors; dominant in refinery operations. -
Non-Load Type Catalysts
Typically slurry or unsupported catalyst systems used in specific hydroprocessing applications. -
CoMo (Cobalt-Molybdenum) Catalysts
Widely used for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of middle distillates. -
NiMo (Nickel-Molybdenum) Catalysts
Preferred for deep desulfurization and hydrodenitrogenation. -
NiW (Nickel-Tungsten) Catalysts
Used in lube hydroprocessing and severe operating conditions.
By Application
-
Diesel Hydrotreating (HDS)
Largest revenue segment due to ultra-low sulfur diesel mandates. -
Naphtha Hydrotreating
Critical for petrochemical feedstock purification. -
Lube Oil Hydrotreating
Improves viscosity index and oxidation stability. -
Resid Hydrotreating
Applied in heavy crude upgrading. -
Jet Fuel Hydrotreating
-
Others
Including kerosene and vacuum gas oil processing.
By Process Type
-
Fixed Bed Hydroprocessing
-
Ebullated Bed Hydroprocessing
-
Slurry Phase Hydroprocessing
By End-User Industry
-
Oil Refineries
-
Petrochemical Complexes
-
Gas Processing Plants
-
Renewable Fuel Refineries
Regional Analysis
North America
Key Countries: United States, Canada, Mexico
-
Mature refining infrastructure
-
Strong regulatory pressure for sulfur reduction
-
Investments in renewable diesel hydrotreating
Europe
Key Countries: Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Russia
-
Strict Euro emission norms
-
Emphasis on decarbonization
-
Refinery upgrades for cleaner fuels
Asia-Pacific
Key Countries: China, India, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia
-
Fastest-growing market
-
Rapid refinery expansion projects
-
High consumption of transportation fuels
South America
Key Countries: Brazil, Argentina
-
Modernization of refining assets
-
Increasing diesel demand
Middle East & Africa
Key Countries: Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa
-
Large refining and export-oriented operations
-
Growing downstream integration projects
Asia-Pacific is expected to lead the market due to capacity additions and government mandates supporting cleaner fuels.
Top Key Players
Major companies operating in the Hydrotreating Catalysts Market include:
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BASF SE
-
W.R. Grace & Co.
-
Albemarle Corporation
-
Criterion Catalysts & Technologies
-
Honeywell UOP
-
Haldor Topsoe A/S
-
Axens S.A.
-
Johnson Matthey PLC
-
JGC C&C
-
Sinopec Catalyst Company
-
CNPC Catalyst Division
-
Clariant AG
-
Shell Catalysts & Technologies
-
Chevron Phillips Chemical
-
Arkema Group
-
Porocel Corporation
-
Advanced Refining Technologies (ART)
Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
1. Threat of New Entrants – Low to Moderate
High capital investment, strong R&D requirements, and refinery qualification processes create significant barriers.
2. Bargaining Power of Suppliers – Moderate
Dependence on molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, and tungsten suppliers influences cost structure.
3. Bargaining Power of Buyers – High
Large refineries negotiate bulk procurement contracts.
4. Threat of Substitutes – Low
Limited alternatives to catalytic hydroprocessing for sulfur removal.
5. Competitive Rivalry – High
Established global players compete on performance efficiency, catalyst life cycle, and pricing.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
-
Essential for regulatory compliance
-
Technologically advanced product portfolio
-
Recurring demand due to catalyst replacement cycles
Weaknesses
-
High sensitivity to crude oil price volatility
-
Dependence on metal raw materials
Opportunities
-
Renewable diesel hydrotreating
-
Green hydrogen integration
-
Upgrading heavy and sour crude processing
Threats
-
Energy transition away from fossil fuels
-
Regulatory shifts favoring electrification
Market Trends
-
Development of ultra-deep desulfurization catalysts
-
Increased use of nano-structured catalyst supports
-
Integration of renewable feedstock hydrotreating
-
Digital monitoring of catalyst performance
-
Growth in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) processing
Drivers
-
Stringent sulfur emission regulations
-
Increasing global diesel consumption
-
Refinery modernization projects
-
Rising heavy crude processing
Challenges
-
Catalyst deactivation due to metal poisoning
-
High raw material price volatility
-
Refinery capacity rationalization in developed economies
Value Chain Analysis
Raw Material Suppliers
(Molybdenum, Nickel, Cobalt, Tungsten suppliers)
↓
Catalyst Manufacturers
Formulation, impregnation, activation
↓
Refinery Operators / Hydroprocessing Units
↓
Fuel Distributors & End Consumers
↓
Recycling & Metal Recovery Companies
Metal recovery from spent catalysts is becoming a critical value addition stage.
Clean Data Summary
-
Base Year: 2025
-
Forecast Period: 2026–2036
-
CAGR: XX%
-
Dominant Application: Diesel Hydrotreating
-
Fastest Growing Region: Asia-Pacific
-
Key Growth Driver: Environmental fuel regulations
-
Key Challenge: Metal price volatility
Quick Recommendations for Stakeholders
-
Invest in high-activity NiMo and CoMo catalyst R&D.
-
Expand presence in Asia-Pacific refinery projects.
-
Develop renewable feedstock hydrotreating solutions.
-
Strengthen long-term metal sourcing contracts.
-
Focus on catalyst regeneration and recycling services.
-
Collaborate with hydrogen technology providers for future-ready hydroprocessing.
1. Market Overview of Hydrotreating Catalysts
1.1 Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Overview
1.1.1 Hydrotreating Catalysts Product Scope
1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook
1.2 Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size by Regions:
1.3 Hydrotreating Catalysts Historic Market Size by Regions
1.4 Hydrotreating Catalysts Forecasted Market Size by Regions
1.5 Covid-19 Impact on Key Regions, Keyword Market Size YoY Growth
1.5.1 North America
1.5.2 East Asia
1.5.3 Europe
1.5.4 South Asia
1.5.5 Southeast Asia
1.5.6 Middle East
1.5.7 Africa
1.5.8 Oceania
1.5.9 South America
1.5.10 Rest of the World
1.6 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Impact Will Have a Severe Impact on Global Growth
1.6.1 Covid-19 Impact: Global GDP Growth, 2019, 2020 and 2021 Projections
1.6.2 Covid-19 Impact: Commodity Prices Indices
1.6.3 Covid-19 Impact: Global Major Government Policy
2. Covid-19 Impact Hydrotreating Catalysts Sales Market by Type
2.1 Global Hydrotreating Catalysts Historic Market Size by Type
2.2 Global Hydrotreating Catalysts Forecasted Market Size by Type
2.3 Load Type
2.4 Non-Load Type
3. Covid-19 Impact Hydrotreating Catalysts Sales Market by Application
3.1 Global Hydrotreating Catalysts Historic Market Size by Application
3.2 Global Hydrotreating Catalysts Forecasted Market Size by Application
3.3 Diesel Hydrotreat
3.4 Lube Oils
3.5 Naphtha
3.6 Others
4. Covid-19 Impact Market Competition by Manufacturers
4.1 Global Hydrotreating Catalysts Production Capacity Market Share by Manufacturers
4.2 Global Hydrotreating Catalysts Revenue Market Share by Manufacturers
4.3 Global Hydrotreating Catalysts Average Price by Manufacturers
5. Company Profiles and Key Figures in Hydrotreating Catalysts Business
5.1 BASF
5.1.1 BASF Company Profile
5.1.2 BASF Hydrotreating Catalysts Product Specification
5.1.3 BASF Hydrotreating Catalysts Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.2 W.R Grace
5.2.1 W.R Grace Company Profile
5.2.2 W.R Grace Hydrotreating Catalysts Product Specification
5.2.3 W.R Grace Hydrotreating Catalysts Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.3 Albemarle Corp
5.3.1 Albemarle Corp Company Profile
5.3.2 Albemarle Corp Hydrotreating Catalysts Product Specification
5.3.3 Albemarle Corp Hydrotreating Catalysts Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.4 Criterion
5.4.1 Criterion Company Profile
5.4.2 Criterion Hydrotreating Catalysts Product Specification
5.4.3 Criterion Hydrotreating Catalysts Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.5 Honeywell UOP
5.5.1 Honeywell UOP Company Profile
5.5.2 Honeywell UOP Hydrotreating Catalysts Product Specification
5.5.3 Honeywell UOP Hydrotreating Catalysts Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.6 Haldor Topsoe A/S
5.6.1 Haldor Topsoe A/S Company Profile
5.6.2 Haldor Topsoe A/S Hydrotreating Catalysts Product Specification
5.6.3 Haldor Topsoe A/S Hydrotreating Catalysts Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.7 Axens S.A
5.7.1 Axens S.A Company Profile
5.7.2 Axens S.A Hydrotreating Catalysts Product Specification
5.7.3 Axens S.A Hydrotreating Catalysts Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.8 Johnson Matthey PLC
5.8.1 Johnson Matthey PLC Company Profile
5.8.2 Johnson Matthey PLC Hydrotreating Catalysts Product Specification
5.8.3 Johnson Matthey PLC Hydrotreating Catalysts Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.9 JGC C&C
5.9.1 JGC C&C Company Profile
5.9.2 JGC C&C Hydrotreating Catalysts Product Specification
5.9.3 JGC C&C Hydrotreating Catalysts Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.10 Sinopec
5.10.1 Sinopec Company Profile
5.10.2 Sinopec Hydrotreating Catalysts Product Specification
5.10.3 Sinopec Hydrotreating Catalysts Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.11 CNPC
5.11.1 CNPC Company Profile
5.11.2 CNPC Hydrotreating Catalysts Product Specification
5.11.3 CNPC Hydrotreating Catalysts Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
6. North America
6.1 North America Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size
6.2 North America Hydrotreating Catalysts Key Players in North America
6.3 North America Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size by Type
6.4 North America Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size by Application
7. East Asia
7.1 East Asia Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size
7.2 East Asia Hydrotreating Catalysts Key Players in North America
7.3 East Asia Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size by Type
7.4 East Asia Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size by Application
8. Europe
8.1 Europe Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size
8.2 Europe Hydrotreating Catalysts Key Players in North America
8.3 Europe Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size by Type
8.4 Europe Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size by Application
9. South Asia
9.1 South Asia Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size
9.2 South Asia Hydrotreating Catalysts Key Players in North America
9.3 South Asia Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size by Type
9.4 South Asia Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size by Application
10. Southeast Asia
10.1 Southeast Asia Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size
10.2 Southeast Asia Hydrotreating Catalysts Key Players in North America
10.3 Southeast Asia Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size by Type
10.4 Southeast Asia Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size by Application
11. Middle East
11.1 Middle East Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size
11.2 Middle East Hydrotreating Catalysts Key Players in North America
11.3 Middle East Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size by Type
11.4 Middle East Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size by Application
12. Africa
12.1 Africa Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size
12.2 Africa Hydrotreating Catalysts Key Players in North America
12.3 Africa Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size by Type
12.4 Africa Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size by Application
13. Oceania
13.1 Oceania Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size
13.2 Oceania Hydrotreating Catalysts Key Players in North America
13.3 Oceania Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size by Type
13.4 Oceania Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size by Application
14. South America
14.1 South America Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size
14.2 South America Hydrotreating Catalysts Key Players in North America
14.3 South America Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size by Type
14.4 South America Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size by Application
15. Rest of the World
15.1 Rest of the World Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size
15.2 Rest of the World Hydrotreating Catalysts Key Players in North America
15.3 Rest of the World Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size by Type
15.4 Rest of the World Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Size by Application
16 Hydrotreating Catalysts Market Dynamics
16.1 Covid-19 Impact Market Top Trends
16.2 Covid-19 Impact Market Drivers
16.3 Covid-19 Impact Market Challenges
16.4 Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
18 Regulatory Information
17 Analyst's Viewpoints/Conclusions
18 Appendix
18.1 Research Methodology
18.1.1 Methodology/Research Approach
18.1.2 Data Source
18.2 Disclaimer
Market Segmentation Analysis
By Catalyst Type
-
Load Type Catalysts
Installed within fixed-bed reactors; dominant in refinery operations. -
Non-Load Type Catalysts
Typically slurry or unsupported catalyst systems used in specific hydroprocessing applications. -
CoMo (Cobalt-Molybdenum) Catalysts
Widely used for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of middle distillates. -
NiMo (Nickel-Molybdenum) Catalysts
Preferred for deep desulfurization and hydrodenitrogenation. -
NiW (Nickel-Tungsten) Catalysts
Used in lube hydroprocessing and severe operating conditions.
By Application
-
Diesel Hydrotreating (HDS)
Largest revenue segment due to ultra-low sulfur diesel mandates. -
Naphtha Hydrotreating
Critical for petrochemical feedstock purification. -
Lube Oil Hydrotreating
Improves viscosity index and oxidation stability. -
Resid Hydrotreating
Applied in heavy crude upgrading. -
Jet Fuel Hydrotreating
-
Others
Including kerosene and vacuum gas oil processing.
By Process Type
-
Fixed Bed Hydroprocessing
-
Ebullated Bed Hydroprocessing
-
Slurry Phase Hydroprocessing
By End-User Industry
-
Oil Refineries
-
Petrochemical Complexes
-
Gas Processing Plants
-
Renewable Fuel Refineries
