# Chemical process catalysts

Catalysts that run the big chemical reactions: ammonia, hydrogen, methanol, plastics, ethylene oxide, sulphuric and nitric acid.

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/process_catalysts/

Specialty chemicals · Catalysts · No. 76

- Product family
- Feedstock: Minerals and salts
- not published in tonnes
- HS 381590
 Specialty chemicals · Catalysts · Foundation · Matter

Fertiliser, plastics and methanol all depend on catalyst pellets that sit in reactors for years and are rarely seen.

Chart: Illustration: Chemical process catalysts

##### Where it comes from

Chart: Map of where it comes from

Metals such as nickel, copper and silver are loaded onto alumina or silica supports; reforming catalysts hold about 10-20% nickel, methanol catalysts 50-60% copper oxide.

##### Three things to know

1. Silver catalysts turn ethylene into ethylene oxide, and high-selectivity grades reach about 85-90% selectivity, saving feed and CO2.
2. Licensors such as Topsoe often supply a new plant's first catalyst fill; Topsoe's 2026 revenue outlook is DKK 8.0-8.5 billion.
3. Clariant's catalyst sales fell from CHF 883 million to CHF 816 million in 2025, yet its EBITDA margin rose to 20.8%.

##### The journey

1. 1 **Metal and support**Nickel, copper, silver or PGMs on alumina
2. 2 **Manufacture**Precipitated or impregnated, shaped, then calcined
3. 3 **First fill**Supplied by licensors with new plants
4. 4 **Reactor service**Runs ammonia, methanol, plastics, acids
5. 5 **Reload, reclaim**Spent catalyst sent to authorised recyclers

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## Other sections

- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/process_catalysts/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/process_catalysts/correlation/index.md)
- [Production route](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/process_catalysts/routes/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/process_catalysts/production/index.md)
- [Feedstocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/process_catalysts/feedstocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/process_catalysts/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/process_catalysts/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/process_catalysts/movement/index.md)
- [Regulation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/process_catalysts/regulation/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/process_catalysts/characteristics/index.md)
- [Emissions](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/process_catalysts/emissions/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/process_catalysts/links/index.md)