Catalysis 2026 Issue

Growing sector of petroleum and biomass catalyst

catalysis ptq

2026

A ccording to a January 2026 study from Precedence Research, the global refinery catalyst market size was estimated at $10.19 billion in 2025. It is expected to increase from $10.63 billion in 2026 to $15.60 billion by 2035, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.35%. The market is driven by stringent environmental regulations, technological advancements, rising refining activities, and a focus on energy transition. Against this backdrop, PTQ Catalysis 2026 includes a compendium of real-world solutions involving catalytic processes, ranging from pathways and challenges associated with chemical recycling to AI-based solu- tions that balance catalyst deactivation with increased short-term yield. Catalyst-based solutions help provide the margins leverage needed in an era of capital shrinkage, where reports of billion-dollar upgrades are on hold despite healthy margins. For example, a Worley Consulting assessment has noted investments in renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) have slowed. Instead, refiners are turning to smaller, tactical improvements averaging around $35 million, including jet fuel treatment units, alkylation upgrades, and heat exchanger additions. These projects, according to Worley, are quick to implement, reversible, and scalable – ideal for a market where demand signals are mixed, and policy direction remains uncertain. According to a November 2025 report by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), global oil inventories are expected to continue rising through 2026, putting downward pressure on oil prices in the coming months. Petrochemicals will account for one out every six of those barrels by 2030. Still, the momentum is clear. For example, SAF is poised to play an increasingly important role in decarbonising US aviation. This is aided by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), federal tax credits, and state-level incentives aimed at accelerating clean fuel adoption. Catalytic-based petrochemical processes, such as for polyethylene (PE), are expanding. The US exported 9.1 million tons of PE (all grades combined) through July 2025, up 5% from the same period in 2024. India is the world’s second-largest PE importer, with volume (all grades) in 2024 of 3.1 million tons, a distant second to China’s 16.7 million tons. Reliance plans to add polypropylene capacity in 2026. Polyolefin projects are also being considered by GAIL, Haldia, and others. Technological advancements in steam cracking and catalytic pyrolysis are improv- ing feedstock flexibility and yield efficiency, driving downstream integration oppor - tunities. For example, these developments benefit the US pygas market, which is gaining momentum due to rising demand for benzene derivatives used in indus - trial solvents, styrene, and resins. Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific bio-refinery sector is experiencing significant shifts driven by technological advancements, policy sup - port, and evolving market demands. Enhanced feedstock processing efficiencies and the integration of advanced biotechnologies are elevating operational competitiveness across the region. Additionally, increased investments in R&D are fostering innovation in bio-based products, including biofuels, biochemicals, and bioplastics, which are gaining mar- ket traction. Catalysts are foundational, not optional, in enhancing these feedstock processing efficiencies and advancing biofuels, biochemicals, and bioplastics. Catalyst and reactor technologies determine whether renewable pathways are technically viable, economically competitive, and scalable vs fossil-based routes. In practice, almost every bio-based process capable of competing with mature petroleum routes is a catalyst-enabled process. They lower reaction temperatures and pressures reduce hydrogen consumption, improve selectivity, and enable con- tinuous processing, as discussed in this issue and future editions of PTQ .

Editor Rene Gonzalez editor@petroleumtechnology.com tel: +1 713 449 5817 Managing Editor Rachel Storry rachel.storry@emap.com Editorial Assistant Lisa Harrison lisa.harrison@emap.com Graphics Peter Harper Business Development Director Paul Mason sales@petroleumtechnology.com tel: +44 7841 699431 Managing Director Richard Watts richard.watts@emap.com Circulation Fran Havard circulation@petroleumtechnology. com

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PTQ (Petroleum Technology Quarterly) (ISSN No: 1632-363X, USPS No: 014-781) is published quarterly plus annual Catalysis edition by EMAP and is distributed in the US by SP/Asendia, 17B South Middlesex Avenue, Monroe NJ 08831. Periodicals postage paid at New Brunswick, NJ. Postmaster: send address changes to PTQ (Petroleum Technology Quarterly), 17B South Middlesex Avenue, Monroe NJ 08831. Back numbers available from the Publisherat $30 per copy inc postage.

Rene Gonzalez

Catalysis 2026