Market overview
The global catalysts market is worth USD 39.4 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 65.4 bn by 2036, growing at a 5.2% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Refining catalysts is the largest by type segment.
| Scope | Catalysts for refining, chemical and polymer production, emission control and environmental use, including zeolites, precious-metal and base-metal catalysts. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals and Materials |
| Value 2025 | USD 37.5 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 39.4 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 65.4 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 5.2% |
| Volume 2026 | 1,293 thousand tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 1,850 thousand tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 30,450 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Catalysts market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 39.4 bn |
| 2027 | USD 41.4 bn |
| 2028 | USD 43.6 bn |
| 2029 | USD 45.8 bn |
| 2030 | USD 48.2 bn |
| 2031 | USD 50.7 bn |
| 2032 | USD 53.4 bn |
| 2033 | USD 56.1 bn |
| 2034 | USD 59.1 bn |
| 2035 | USD 62.1 bn |
| 2036 | USD 65.4 bn |
Catalysts market segmentation
By type
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refining catalysts | 28.0% | 26.3% | USD 11.0 bn | 4.5% |
| Chemical catalysts | 26.0% | 25.6% | USD 10.2 bn | 5.0% |
| Polymerisation catalysts | 12.0% | 12.4% | USD 4.7 bn | 5.5% |
| Environmental and emission catalysts | 24.0% | 24.8% | USD 9.4 bn | 5.5% |
| Others | 10.0% | 10.8% | USD 3.9 bn | 6.0% |
By material
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zeolites | 25.0% | 24.1% | USD 9.8 bn | 4.8% |
| Metals and metal oxides | 45.0% | 44.2% | USD 17.7 bn | 5.0% |
| Chemical compounds and organometallics | 30.0% | 31.8% | USD 11.8 bn | 5.8% |
By form
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powder | 28.0% | 26.0% | USD 11.0 bn | 4.4% |
| Pellets and extrudates | 46.0% | 43.0% | USD 18.1 bn | 4.5% |
| Monolith and honeycomb | 26.0% | 31.0% | USD 10.2 bn | 7.1% |
By phase
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heterogeneous | 82.0% | 79.0% | USD 32.3 bn | 4.8% |
| Homogeneous | 12.0% | 13.0% | USD 4.7 bn | 6.0% |
| Biocatalysts | 6.0% | 8.0% | USD 2.4 bn | 8.3% |
By supply model
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct catalyst supply | 61.0% | 56.0% | USD 24.0 bn | 4.3% |
| Licensed technology packages | 21.0% | 22.0% | USD 8.3 bn | 5.7% |
| Regeneration and reclamation services | 18.0% | 22.0% | USD 7.1 bn | 7.3% |
Top 25 countries for catalysts by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 76.5% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 93.4%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 9.4 bn | 24.0% | USD 17.8 bn | 6.6% |
| 2 | United States | USD 7.9 bn | 20.0% | USD 11.7 bn | 4.0% |
| 3 | Germany | USD 2.4 bn | 6.0% | USD 3.3 bn | 3.5% |
| 4 | Japan | USD 2.4 bn | 6.0% | USD 3.3 bn | 3.3% |
| 5 | India | USD 2.0 bn | 5.0% | USD 4.2 bn | 8.0% |
| 6 | South Korea | USD 1.6 bn | 4.0% | USD 2.5 bn | 4.7% |
| 7 | Saudi Arabia | USD 1.4 bn | 3.5% | USD 2.5 bn | 6.1% |
| 8 | Russia | USD 1.2 bn | 3.0% | USD 1.6 bn | 2.9% |
| 9 | France | USD 984 mn | 2.5% | USD 1.4 bn | 3.4% |
| 10 | Brazil | USD 984 mn | 2.5% | USD 1.6 bn | 5.2% |
| 11 | United Kingdom | USD 591 mn | 1.5% | USD 902 mn | 4.3% |
| 12 | Italy | USD 555 mn | 1.4% | USD 850 mn | 4.3% |
| 13 | Netherlands | USD 555 mn | 1.4% | USD 915 mn | 5.1% |
| 14 | Singapore | USD 520 mn | 1.3% | USD 850 mn | 5.0% |
| 15 | Mexico | USD 480 mn | 1.2% | USD 791 mn | 5.1% |
| 16 | Canada | USD 480 mn | 1.2% | USD 791 mn | 5.1% |
| 17 | Taiwan | USD 480 mn | 1.2% | USD 791 mn | 5.1% |
| 18 | United Arab Emirates | USD 445 mn | 1.1% | USD 778 mn | 5.8% |
| 19 | Spain | USD 406 mn | 1.0% | USD 667 mn | 5.1% |
| 20 | Belgium | USD 406 mn | 1.0% | USD 667 mn | 5.1% |
| 21 | Thailand | USD 370 mn | 0.9% | USD 654 mn | 5.8% |
| 22 | Indonesia | USD 370 mn | 0.9% | USD 693 mn | 6.5% |
| 23 | Turkey | USD 370 mn | 0.9% | USD 654 mn | 5.8% |
| 24 | Malaysia | USD 335 mn | 0.8% | USD 588 mn | 5.8% |
| 25 | Poland | USD 295 mn | 0.8% | USD 523 mn | 5.9% |
| Rest of world | USD 2.6 bn | 6.6% | USD 4.3 bn | 5.2% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- BASF
- Johnson Matthey
- Albemarle
- W. R. Grace
- Honeywell UOP
- Clariant
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Umicore
- Topsoe
- Axens
- Evonik
- Shell Catalysts and Technologies
- Sinopec Catalyst Company
- Ecovyst
- Eurecat
- Cormetech
- Nippon Ketjen
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- N.E. Chemcat
- Zeolyst International
- Heraeus Precious Metals
- Porocel
- Tanaka Kikinzoku
- Cataler
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the catalysts market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 5.2% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by type, by material, by form, by phase, by supply model. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the catalysts market?
The global catalysts market is estimated at USD 37.5 bn in 2025 and USD 39.4 bn in 2026.
How fast will the catalysts market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 65.4 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 5.2% from 2026, an increase of USD 26.0 bn.
Which country is the largest market for catalysts?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 9.4 bn in 2026, 24.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 50.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 8.0% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which catalysts segment is largest?
In the by type split, Refining catalysts is the largest segment with 28.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading catalysts companies?
Global leaders include BASF, Johnson Matthey, Albemarle, W. R. Grace.
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