Global catalyst demand was 6,259.3 kilo tons in 2013 and is expected to reach 7,803.4 kilo tons by 2020, growing at a CAGR of 3.2% from 2014 to 2020. The global market is expected to reach US$27.59 bln by 2020, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc.
Growing demand for polymers is expected to result in increased utilization of refinery capacities which in turn is expected to drive catalyst demand. Favorable regulatory scenario for development of high yield, efficient and conservative manufacturing processes is also expected to enhance demand over the forecast period. Chemical synthesis was the most dominant application market; with catalyst demand exceeding 1,800 kilo tons in 2013, owing to growth in chemical production, particularly in Asia Pacific and Latin America. Environmental catalysis another key application market, accounting for over 29% of global catalyst demand in 2013 and is expected to witness fastest growth, at an estimated CAGR of 3.9% from 2014 to 2020; on account of growing preference towards the production of clean fuels and use of green technology in manufacturing process.
Further key findings from the study suggest:
• Global catalyst demand was 6,259.3 kilo tons in 2013 and is expected to reach 7,803.4 kilo tons by 2020, growing at a CAGR of 3.2% from 2014 to 2020.
• Chemical compounds were the largest consumed catalytic materials, accounting for over 40% of catalyst demand in 2013. In addition, these materials are also expected to witness fastest growth over the forecast period at an estimated CAGR of 3.4% from 2014 to 2020 on account of their lower cost in comparison to zeolites and metals.
• Heterogeneous catalysts were the dominant product segment in the market, with global demand exceeding 4,900 kilo tons in 2013 due to inherent advantages in comparison to homogenous catalysts.
• Asia Pacific was the largest regional market for catalysts, accounting for 33.50% of global demand in 2013. The region accounts for over 30% of global refining capacity and a significant chunk of polymer production.
• Key market participants include Zeolyst International Inc, W.R Grace & Co-Conn, UOP LLC, Johnson Matthey PLC, INEOS Group Limited, E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Evonik Industries AG, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Eka Chemicals AB, Clariant International Ltd, Chevron, BASF SE, Arkema Group, Albemarle Corporation and Air Products and Chemicals Incorporated.

As per Freedonia, world demand for petroleum refining, chemical synthesis, and polymerization catalysts will rise 5.8% pa to US$19.5 bln in 2016. Growth will result from rising output of the world’s refining, chemical, and polymer industries, particularly in developing nations, as well as an ongoing shift in the catalyst product mix toward higher value, more efficient catalysts. Polymerization catalysts will experience the fastest growth globally, driven by healthy expansion of polymer resin production. Plastic products will continue to displace other materials in a variety of applications, while rising incomes in developing nations will also contribute to additional plastic consumption. Ziegler- Natta and single-site catalysts will benefit most. Rapid growth through 2016 will occur in both Asia and the Middle East. In Asia, growth will be led by China and India, and result from rapid industrialization and expansion of the refining, chemical and polymer industries in both countries. China’s rising income levels, vehicle ownership rates, and industrial activity will all contribute to strong growth in demand for catalysts. In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and other large oil and natural gas producers will continue efforts to expand and diversify their economies by investing in new chemical and petroleum refining capacity. Polymer producers in the Middle East will increasingly compete in global markets. Brazil will lead strong growth in Central and South America. The country is beginning to successfully develop its natural gas and oil resources. This will provide a competitive advantage for chemical and polymer producers, while the nation’s large population will provide a strong market for products manufactured with the use of catalysts. Catalyst demand in North America will see healthy growth as well, due largely to a rebound in chemical and polymer production as companies take advantage of comparatively low natural gas prices, which have fallen from the historical highs observed during the 2006-2011 period. The low gas prices will also encourage further development of catalyst technologies involved in converting natural gas to liquid fuels and other valuable products. Demand for refining catalysts in North America will be flat, as motor vehicle fuel demand stagnates due to competition from biofuels and increasing fuel efficiency of the vehicle fleet. Additionally, intense competition in global export markets will strain margins for North American refiners.