# Chemical process catalysts: Production

Why each catalyst niche has only a few suppliers

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

What this tab covers Who makes it and how much: world capacity and output, utilisation, the top producing countries and companies globally and in India, concentration, new capacity coming, and each region's position.

| Measure | Figure | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| **World capacity** | not published |  |  |
| **World output** | not published |  |  |
| **Capacity utilisation** | not published | Clariant reported lower catalyst volumes and stable prices in 2025; Topsoe catalyst revenue was flat. | Clariant FY2025; Topsoe 2025 results |
| **Concentration** | not published | Each catalyst niche has two to four leading suppliers, often the process licensor; no public overall shares. |  |
| **New capacity** | restructuring rather than new plants | Topsoe is restructuring its Power-to-X business with DKK 4.1-4.4 billion of mostly non-cash costs in 2026 after inaugurating its SOEC electrolyser factory in Herning in 2025. JM completed the sale of Catalyst Technologies to Honeywell on 17 Jul 2026. | Topsoe 27 Aug 2026 outlook; Topsoe 2025 results; JM FY2025/26 |

#### Top producing countries

- **Germany**: BASF, Clariant (Heufeld, Bruckmuehl), Evonik, Heraeus
- **Denmark**: Topsoe (Frederikssund)
- **United States**: Honeywell UOP, Clariant (Louisville), Grace, BASF, Topsoe (Houston)
- **UK**: Catalyst Technologies at Billingham (Honeywell since July 2026, formerly Johnson Matthey)
- **China**: Sinopec and many domestic makers
- **India**: Sud-Chemie India, PDIL, Clariant and Topsoe affiliates
 indicative

#### Largest producers: global

| Company | Country | Volume | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Topsoe** EBIT before special items DKK 728 million (8.9%). Not listed on an exchange but publishes full accounts. | Denmark | 6,174 DKK million catalyst revenue (group revenue DKK 8,197 million) | 2025 | [Topsoe 2025 results](https://www.topsoe.com/financial-releases/topsoe-reports-satisfactory-financial-results-for-2025-in-a-challenging-market) |
| **Clariant (Catalysts)** EBITDA before exceptionals CHF 170 million (20.8%). | Switzerland | 816 CHF million sales | 2025 | [Clariant Q4/FY2025 media release](https://www.clariant.com/-/media/Files/Corporate/News/2026/02/CLARIANT-MEDIA-RELEASE-Q4_FY_2025.pdf) |
| **Catalyst Technologies (Honeywell since July 2026; formerly Johnson Matthey)** Operating profit £44 million (7.9%) in JM's FY2025/26. Sold to Honeywell, completed 17 Jul 2026 at an enterprise value of £1,325 million, cut in February 2026 from the £1.8 billion agreed in May 2025 after deferred licensing projects; JM is returning £1 billion to shareholders (JM, 17 Jul 2026). | UK | 558 £ million sales (catalysts £491 million, licensing £67 million) | 2025/26 | [JM FY2025/26 presentation](https://matthey.com/documents/d/guest/presentation-for-the-year-ended-31st-march-2026-pdf) |
| **BASF (Process Catalysts)** Figures not retrieved. | Germany | not published | n/a |  |
| **Honeywell UOP** Segment figures not retrieved. | US | not published | n/a |  |
| **W. R. Grace (polyolefin catalysts)** Private (Standard Industries). | US | not published | n/a |  |
| **Heraeus Precious Metals** Private. | Germany | not published | n/a |  |

#### Largest producers: India

| Company | Country | Volume | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Sud-Chemie India** Volumes and ownership not verified in sources reviewed. | India | not published | n/a |  |
| **Projects and Development India Ltd (PDIL)** Government-owned; volumes not verified. | India | not published | n/a |  |
| **Clariant Chemicals (India)** Catalyst production in India not verified. | India | not published | n/a |  |

India's ammonia, methanol, sulphuric acid and polymer plants rely largely on imported catalysts from Topsoe, Clariant, JM and BASF, with some local manufacture. Topsoe named India a key growth driver in 2025, and green ammonia and methanol projects add demand for synthesis catalysts.

#### Position by region

| Region | Position |
|---|---|
| **US** | Large licensor base (UOP, Grace, Univation). |
| **EU** | Home of Topsoe, Clariant, BASF, Evonik, Heraeus; high energy costs. |
| **India** | Import-reliant; growing with fertiliser, refinery and green hydrogen projects. |
| **China** | Large domestic catalyst industry serving coal chemicals. |
| **Japan** | JGC, Mitsui and Sumitomo catalyst units (indicative). |
| **Middle East** | Buyer for ammonia, methanol and polyolefin plants. |

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/process_catalysts/index.md)
- [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)
- [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)