Global RFCC Catalyst Market Insights Forecasts to 2033

• The Global RFCC Catalyst Market Size was estimated at USD 234.8 Million in 2023
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 3.55% from 2023 to 2033
• The Worldwide RFCC Catalyst Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 332.7 Million by 2033
• North America is expected to grow the fastest during the forecast period.

The Global RFCC Catalyst Market Size is expected to cross USD 332.7 Million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3.55% from 2023 to 2033.

Market Overview  

A crucial step in refining petroleum, the market for specialized catalysts used in the process is known as the residual fluid catalytic cracking (RFCC) catalyst market. Heavy portions of crude oil are "cracked" or broken down in this process to produce lighter, more valuable products like diesel, gasoline, and other petrochemicals. In the RFCC catalyst market, catalysts that help in the cracking of heavy oils during refining are produced, distributed, and consumed with a focus on increasing product yields, maximizing energy efficiency, and adhering to environmental regulations. The growing complexity of crude oil sources and the drive for energy efficiency is expected to propel the RFCC catalyst market expansion. Refineries' increased focus on making money and keeping their bottom lines strong is driving up demand for RFCC catalysts. Improvements in catalyst materials are indicated by recent trends in the RFCC catalyst market. RandD expenditures for catalyst materials are being driven by shifts in the demand for products and feed.     

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the RFCC catalyst market based on various segments and regions forecasts revenue growth and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the RFCC catalyst market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, type launch, development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the RFCC catalyst market.

Driving Factors

Innovations in catalyst compositions that improve yield, selectivity, and environmental compliance are factor driving market expansion. Gasoline demand is rising, which is also fueling the RFCC catalyst market's earnings. The growing need for lighter petroleum products, including gasoline and diesel, which are made by converting heavy wastes, is driving the RFCC catalyst market. The demand for RFCC catalysts is being further driven by refineries adopting more efficient catalytic solutions in response to regulatory pressures to lower sulfur content and emissions in fuels.        

Restraining Factors

The market is restricted by strict environmental rules that require cleaner fuels and fewer emissions, necessitating constant innovation and adaptation on the part of manufacturers.  

Market Segmentation

The RFCC catalyst market share is classified into type and application.      

• The zeolite segment held the largest share in 2023 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the type, the RFCC catalyst market is divided into zeolite, non-zeolite, and others. Among these, the zeolite segment held the largest share in 2023 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The high surface area, strong acidity, and exceptional heat stability of zeolites, especially Y-type zeolites, make them extremely effective. These properties are critical for the successful catalytic cracking process.

• The vacuum gas oil (VGO) segment held the largest share in 2023 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the application, the RFCC catalyst market is divided into heavy gas oil (HGO), vacuum gas oil (VGO), residue feedstock, and others. Among these, the vacuum gas oil (VGO) segment held the largest share in 2023 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Refineries are increasingly using RFCC catalysts optimized for vacuum gas oil as a result of the rising demand for fuel, especially for cleaner fuels. This is causing the application to increase quickly.

Regional Segment Analysis of the RFCC Catalyst Market

• North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) 
• Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)
• South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America) 
• The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)

Asia Pacific is anticipated to hold the largest share of the RFCC catalyst market over the predicted timeframe.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to hold the largest share of the RFCC catalyst market over the predicted timeframe. This is attributed to its large need for cutting-edge refining technologies and its extensive refining infrastructure. Refineries are urged by the Asia Pacific region to use high-performance catalysts to lower emissions and increase product yield, thus strengthening their position as market leaders. The region's refineries are some of the biggest and most advanced in the world, which is why RFCC catalysts are being used to increase the productivity and efficiency of the refining processes in the region.     

North America is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR growth of the RFCC catalyst market during the forecast period. The efficiency of refining processes, such as converting heavy oils into lighter, more valuable products like gasoline and diesel, depends on the employment of RFCC catalysts in North America. Refiners have been forced to use increasingly sophisticated catalytic technologies, such as RFCC catalysts, in order to improve product quality and satisfy regulatory requirements due to the need for cleaner fuels and tighter emissions laws.   

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the RFCC catalyst market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their type of offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes type development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• BASF SE.
• R. Grace Company
• Arkema
• Albemarle Corporation
• E. CHEMCAT
• Johnson Matthey
• Kuwait Catalyst Company
• Flour Corporation
• JGC CORPORATION
• Exxon Mobil Corporation.
• Honeywell International Inc.
• McDermott
• Porocel Corporation
• Yueyang Sciensun Chemical Co., Ltd.
• Others  

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting And Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Recent Development

• In August 2024, BASF announced the commercial launch of FourtivaTM, a novel Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) catalyst for gasoil to mild residue feedstock. In order to optimize the catalyst design and maximize butylene yields and selectivity over propylene while improving naphtha octane, LPG olefinicity, and minimizing coke and dry gas, Fourtiva integrates BASF's most recent Advanced Innovative Matrix (AIM) and Multiple Frameworks Topology (MFT) technologies.    

• In September 2020, RF Catalytic Capital Inc. (RFCC) was launched by the Rockefeller Foundation to aid in scaling up funding for solutions. Being a public charity, RFCC provides governments, corporations, impact investors, and foundations with a fresh, creative method to pool their resources in order to close this funding gap and effect revolutionary change.  

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2023 to 2033. Spherical Insights has segmented the RFCC catalyst market based on the below-mentioned segments: 

Global RFCC Catalyst Market, By Type  

• Zeolite
• Non-zeolite
• Others

Global RFCC Catalyst Market, By Application

• Heavy Gas Oil (HGO)
• Vacuum Gas Oil (VGO)
• Residue Feedstock
• Others

Global RFCC Catalyst Market, By Regional Analysis

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East and Africa
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East and Africa