Global demand for refining catalysts to reach US$4.7 billion

Global demand for refining catalysts is forecast to grow 3.6% per year to US$4.7 billion in 2020. This market includes catalysts used in fluid catalytic cracking, hydroprocessing, alkylation, reforming, and other catalytic applications. While global demand for refining catalysts in all applications will experience healthy growth, fluid catalytic cracking catalysts will post the fastest growth. Fluid catalytic cracking catalysts will also remain the largest market for refining catalysts by value. These and other trends are presented in World Refining Catalysts, a new study from The Freedonia Group.

The refining catalyst markets in developed countries are mature, with strong competition among catalyst manufacturers. To maintain and expand market share in these countries, manufacturers invest significant time and resources in the development of catalysts that can:

• Function at higher temperatures and pressures.
• Lower costs by increasing crude oil feed rate or catalyst life.
• Produce higher quality end products.

The continued introduction of new catalysts will sustain growth in the mature markets of North America, Western Europe and Japan. Analyst Christine O’Keefe notes, however, “The established nature of fuel sulfur regulations in these markets, declining gasoline consumption, and decreasing refined products output will restrain stronger gains.” In addition, the changing nature of the global crude oil supply, particularly the increased availability in the United States of tight oil crudes that are lower in sulfur content, may restrain growth in hydrotreating catalyst consumption in more developed markets. Opportunities will exist, though, for catalysts that allow refiners flexibility in responding to the changing nature of the crude oil supply.

In developing economies, rising per capita incomes and increasing rates of vehicle ownership have resulted in large gains in demand for motor vehicle fuels. The growth of manufacturing in these markets and the related need to transport goods have also supported growth in demand for vehicle fuels. As a result refined products output in developing regions is expected to expand through the forecast period, supporting overall healthy gains in demand for refining catalysts, especially in the Asia/Pacific and Africa/Mideast regions.

Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/refining/02092016/global-demand-for-refining-catalysts-to-reach-us47-billion-4010/