FCC Catalyst Market Size, Share, Opportunities, And Trends By Application (Vacuum Gas Oil, Residue, Others), By Process (Gasoline Sulfur Reduction, Maximum Light Olefins, Maximum Middle Distillates, Maximum Bottoms Conversion, Others (low Coke Production)), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2023 To 2028

FCC catalysts, or fluid catalytic cracking catalysts, are a type of catalyst used in the refining process of crude oil. The refining process involves breaking down the larger hydrocarbon molecules into smaller, more useful molecules such as gasoline and diesel fuel. The FCC process takes place in a fluidized bed reactor, where the FCC catalyst is mixed with the feedstock and injected with a stream of hot air. The mixture of the feedstock and FCC catalyst is then fluidized, allowing the catalyst to circulate freely throughout the reactor. As the feedstock passes through the reactor, the FCC catalyst cracks the hydrocarbon molecules, producing lighter products. There are several types of FCC catalysts available in the market, including zeolite-based catalysts, rare earth-based catalysts, and others. Zeolite-based catalysts are the most widely used type of FCC catalyst due to their high activity and selectivity in cracking heavy hydrocarbons.

Additionally, the products of the FCC process are separated into different fractions, including gasoline, diesel fuel, and other valuable products such as petrochemicals. The yields and quality of these products depend on the performance of the FCC catalyst, making it a critical component of the refining process. In addition to their primary use in the refining industry, FCC catalysts also have applications in other industries such as the petrochemical and chemical industries. In these industries, FCC catalysts can be used to promote chemical reactions such as the cracking of heavy hydrocarbons or the conversion of biomass into biofuels.

Key Drivers

• Increasing demand for transportation fuels

The increasing demand for transportation fuels is mainly driving the growth of the FCC catalyst market. This is because transportation fuels such as gasoline and diesel are critical components of the global economy, powering vehicles and enabling the movement of people and goods. As economies around the world continue to grow and urbanize, the demand for transportation fuels is expected to increase. To meet this growing demand, refineries need to produce more transportation fuels from crude oil. However, the quality of crude oil varies widely, and some types of crude oil are more difficult to refine than others. Heavy crude oil, for example, contains larger hydrocarbon molecules that are more challenging to crack into lighter products. FCC catalysts play a vital role in the refining process.

• Ongoing research and development

Ongoing research and development efforts to improve the performance and efficiency of FCC catalysts are driving the demand for these catalysts in the market. Major players in the market are investing heavily in R&D to develop new and improved catalysts that can address the challenges of the modern refining industry. One of the key driving agents of R&D efforts in the FCC catalyst market is the need for more efficient and environmentally friendly refining technologies. In addition, FCC catalysts also help refineries to optimize their operations and reduce costs. By improving the efficiency of the refining process, FCC catalysts can help refineries to produce more transportation fuels at a lower cost. Governments around the world are implementing increasingly stringent regulations on emissions from vehicles and industrial sources, which is leading to a need for cleaner fuels with lower sulfur content. FCC catalysts play a crucial role in producing these cleaner fuels.

Key Developments

• In 2020, BASF launched its next-generation FCC catalyst, called Borotec. The catalyst is designed to offer superior performance and stability, enabling refineries to produce more high-value products from a given quantity of crude oil. The launch of Borotec is part of BASF's ongoing efforts to develop new and innovative solutions to meet the demands of the modern refining industry.
• In 2021, Albemarle Corporation added a new technology called ACTION+ Catalyst to its ACTION FCC Catalyst line. The ACTION+ Catalyst Technology is designed to provide increased yields of gasoline and diesel, as well as improved feedstock flexibility and performance.

Asia-Pacific to show higher growth

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is expected to witness the highest growth in the FCC catalyst market in the forecast period. This can be attributed to the rapid industrialization and urbanization in countries such as China and India, which has led to an increase in demand for transportation fuels and petrochemicals. The region is also home to some of the largest refineries in the world, which have been investing in upgrading and expanding their FCC units to increase their production capacity and efficiency. In addition, the Asia Pacific region is also seeing significant investments in research and development activities related to FCC catalysts.

North America accounts for a notable share of the FCC catalyst market. The growth of the FCC catalyst market in North America is expected to continue in the forecast period, driven by the need to meet environmental regulations and reduce emissions. However, the growth rate in these regions is relatively slower compared to the Asia Pacific.

FCC Catalyst Market Scope:

Segmentation

• By Application
  • Vacuum Gas Oil
  • Residue
  • Others
• By Process
  • Gasoline Sulfur Reduction
  • Maximum Light Olefins
  • Maximum Middle Distillates
  • Maximum Bottoms Conversion
  • Others (low coke production)
• By Geography
  • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • France
    • United Kingdom
    • Spain
    • Others
  • Middle East And Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • UAE
    • Israel
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Indonesia
    • Thailand
    • Taiwan
    • Others