Fertilizer Catalyst Market

Market Definition

A fertilizer catalyst comprises materials that enhance the efficiency of chemical reactions in fertilizer production. These catalysts are primarily used to improve the yield and quality of fertilizers such as ammonia, urea, and nitric acid by optimizing production processes. 

They are used across agriculture, chemical manufacturing, and industrial processing. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of key drivers, emerging trends, and the competitive landscape expected to influence the market over the forecast period.

Fertilizer Catalyst Market Overview

The global fertilizer catalyst market size was valued at USD 4.63 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 4.74 billion in 2025 to USD 5.65 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 2.50% during the forecast period. 

This growth is driven by the rising global food demand due to population growth. Additionally, government support through favorable policies and subsidies in developing nations promotes the adoption of advanced fertilizer solutions.

Major companies operating in the fertilizer catalyst industry are Clariant, Johnson Matthey, UNICAT Catalyst Technologies, LLC., Albemarle Corporation, LKAB Minerals, Quality Magnetite, Oham Industries, Axens, Agricen, thyssenkrupp AG, Dow, DuPont, N.E. CHEMCAT CORPORATION, QuantumSphere, Inc., and BASF.

Governments and environmental bodies are implementing strict emission control standards, particularly targeting nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions from fertilizer plants. To comply with these mandates, producers are increasingly adopting catalysts that enable lower reaction temperatures and improved gas conversion. 

This regulatory pressure boosts demand for advanced catalytic solutions, promoting sustained investment in catalyst technologies.

• In July 2025, Clariant Catalysts and KBR expanded their partnership to support conventional and low‑carbon ammonia production. The collaboration integrates Clariant’s AmoMax catalysts with KBR’s K‑GreeN technology to boost energy efficiency, economic performance, and sustainability. Their combined solution has been chosen for ten global green ammonia projects.

Key Highlights:

1. The fertilizer catalyst market size was valued at USD 4.63 billion in 2024.
2. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.50% from 2025 to 2032.
3. Asia Pacific held a market share of 35.03% in 2024, with a valuation of USD 1.62 billion.
4. The iron-based catalyst segment garnered USD 1.12 billion in revenue in 2024.
5. The Haber-Bosch process segment is expected to reach USD 1.59 billion by 2032.
6. North America is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 2.97% over the forecast period.

Market Driver

Surging Global Food Demand

Rising global food demand due to population growth is driving the need for higher agricultural productivity, thereby boosting fertilizer consumption. Farmers are adopting advanced solutions to improve crop yields and meet the rising food requirements. 

Fertilizer catalysts are essential for enhancing the efficiency of fertilizer production processes, enabling optimal nutrient delivery to crops. Increasing emphasis on improving soil fertility and maximizing output per hectare is further stimulating the adoption of high-performance fertilizer catalysts. 

Additionally, governments and agricultural organizations are promoting the use of efficient fertilizers to support sustainable farming practices, fuelling the growth of the market.

• In July 2024, the OECD‑FAO Agricultural Outlook reported that global food consumption, the primary driver of agricultural commodity use, is projected to grow by 1.3% annually through 2032.

Market Challenge

Volatility of Raw Material Prices

A key challenge hampering the expansion of the fertilizer catalyst market is the volatility of raw material prices. Fluctuations in the costs of essential metals and chemicals used in catalyst production are significantly affecting overall profitability. These price variations are creating uncertainties in supply contracts and long-term financial planning for manufacturers.

To address this challenge, market players are adopting strategic sourcing practices and entering long-term agreements with suppliers to stabilize input costs. Additionally, companies are investing in developing alternative catalyst formulations that rely on more cost-stable materials to mitigate the impact of volatile raw material prices.

Market Trend

Surging Adoption of Nanotechnology

A key trend in the market is the use of nanotechnology to create more active and selective catalyst surfaces. Companies are increasingly focusing on engineering catalysts at the nanoscale, enabling greater control over surface area and reactivity. 

This approach allows the development of catalysts that significantly enhance reaction rates and selectivity during fertilizer production processes. Nanostructured surfaces provide more active sites, resulting in higher yield outputs and reduced energy consumption. Manufacturers are investing in advanced material synthesis techniques for consistent and scalable production of these catalysts.

• In April 2025, researchers at RIKEN introduced a new ammonia synthesis catalyst using ultrasmall molybdenum particles. This catalyst enables production at significantly lower temperatures than the conventional Haber–Bosch method, reducing energy consumption.

Fertilizer Catalyst Market Report Snapshot

Segmentation	Details
By Product	Iron-based Catalyst, Nickel-based Catalyst, Cobalt-based Catalyst, Vanadium-based Catalyst, Zinc-based Catalyst, Platinum-based Catalyst, Others
By Process	Haber-Bosch Process, Potassium Fertilizer Production, Nitric Acid Production, Contact Process, Urea Production
By Region	North America: U.S., Canada, Mexico
	Europe: France, UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe
	Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, India, Australia, ASEAN, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific
	Middle East & Africa: Turkey, U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa
	South America: Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America

Market Segmentation

• By Product (Iron-based Catalyst, Nickel-based Catalyst, Cobalt-based Catalyst, Vanadium-based Catalyst, Zinc-based Catalyst, Platinum-based Catalyst, and Others): The iron-based catalyst segment earned USD 1.12 billion in 2024 due to its cost-effectiveness, high availability, and proven efficiency in large-scale ammonia synthesis processes.
• By Process (Haber-Bosch Process, Potassium Fertilizer Production, Nitric Acid Production, Contact Process, and Urea Production): The Haber-Bosch process segment held a share of 28.08% in 2024, owing to its critical role in large-scale ammonia production for nitrogen-based fertilizers.

Fertilizer Catalyst Market Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global market has been classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America.

The Asia Pacific fertilizer catalyst market share stood at 35.03% in 2024, valued at USD 1.62 billion. Asia Pacific is home to some of the largest fertilizer manufacturers globally, driven by the need to support intensive agriculture. 

The rising emphasis on production efficiency and cost reduction has led to greater adoption of advanced catalysts in ammonia and urea plants. This shift is crucial for meeting high-volume fertilizer demand with minimal energy input. 

Moreover, several governments in the region are promoting sustainable and efficient agricultural practices through policy and financial support. This includes incentives for adopting cleaner technologies in fertilizer production. In response,  manufacturers are investing in low-emission, catalyst-based processes, contributing to market growth.

• In March 2024, the Indian government allocated approximately USD 13 billion for fertilizer subsidies under the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme. Under the NBS scheme, manufacturers are incentivized to incorporate innovative additives and catalysts that enhance nutrient use efficiency while reducing environmental impact.  

The North America fertilizer catalyst industry is set to grow at a CAGR of 2.97% over the forecast period. This growth is attributed to the presence of advanced chemical research institutions and private sector R&D investment, which is supporting the development of next-generation catalysts tailored to the regional production needs. 

These innovations focus on extending catalyst lifespan, improving selectivity, and reducing by-product formation, thereby improving cost-effectiveness and efficiency. 

• For instance, in September 2024, Northwestern University researchers received a USD 750,000 three‑year grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Basic Energy Sciences to advance research in sustainability and energy catalysis.

Regulatory Frameworks

• In the U.S., fertilizer catalyst use is governed by multiple federal laws. The Clean Water Act enforces effluent limits for ammonia and nitrates, while the Clean Air Act mandates Risk Management Plans for hazardous chemicals such as anhydrous ammonia. Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), nitrogen stabilizers must be registered. Additionally, greenhouse gas emissions from ammonia plants must be reported under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (40 CFR Part 98).
• The European Union enforces the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation (EC No. 1907/2006), requiring registration and safety data for all catalyst substances above 1 tonne annually. The Fertilising Products Regulation (EU 2019/1009) supplements REACH by applying stricter criteria to fertilizer inputs, including catalysts.
• Japan enforces strict chemical control through its Chemical Substances Control Law and the Industrial Safety and Health Law. These require detailed evaluation of substances, including catalysts used in fertilizer plants, before manufacturing or importation. Japan follows the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) and maintains rigorous standards for handling, labelling, and monitoring hazardous materials, ensuring high safety compliance across fertilizer production facilities.
• South Korea manages chemical safety under the Act on Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (K-REACH), aligned with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). Companies using catalysts in fertilizer production must evaluate exposure levels, environmental risks, and worker safety. The Ministry of Environment monitors chemical use, while strict import and usage standards ensure controlled handling of industrial catalysts across the fertilizer sector.

Competitive Landscape

Major players in the fertilizer catalyst market are adopting strategies such as investing in advanced R&D infrastructure, pilot-scale catalyst development, and enhanced solids processing to address the gap between laboratory research and commercial-scale production. 

Companies are also integrating sustainability into catalyst design and improving efficiency through technological innovation. Such strategic approaches are contributing significantly to the development of next-generation, low-emission catalytic solutions.

• In December 2025, BASF inaugurated its new Catalyst Development and Solids Processing Center in Ludwigshafen, Germany. This facility, backed by a multi‑million‑euro investment, enables pilot‑scale catalyst synthesis and advanced solids processing.

List of Key Companies in Fertilizer Catalyst Market:

• Clariant
• Johnson Matthey
• UNICAT Catalyst Technologies, LLC.
• Albemarle Corporation
• LKAB Minerals
• Quality Magnetite
• Oham Industries
• Axens
• Agricen
• thyssenkrupp AG
• Dow
• DuPont
• E. CHEMCAT CORPORATION
• QuantumSphere, Inc.
• BASF

Recent Developments (M&A/Partnership/Agreement/Expansion/Product Launch)

• In May 2025, Honeywell unveiled plans to acquire Johnson Matthey’s Catalyst Technologies business for USD 2.4 billion, integrating it into Honeywell UOP. The unit, which supplies catalysts for fertilizers, sustainable fuels, and chemicals, will enhance Honeywell’s low‑emission fuel and ammonia offerings and is expected to be earnings‑accretive in the first year.
• In May 2025, Johnson Matthey and thyssenkrupp Uhde signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly offer a fully integrated blue ammonia solution. This collaboration combines JM’s LCH reforming and KATALCO catalysts with Uhde’s dual‑pressure ammonia process, enabling up to 99% carbon capture during low‑carbon ammonia production, and supporting fertilizer manufacturing while advancing decarbonization efforts.
• In March 2025, Clariant introduced CLARITY Prime, a next‑generation digital service that enhances its CLARITY portal with AI-driven catalyst optimization tools. The platform offers real-time catalyst health alerts, machine-learning performance projections, and expert technical support, designed for ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen producers.
• In April 2024, Clariant opened its new CATOFIN catalyst production plant in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, China. The facility enhances local supply, boosts propylene output through propane dehydrogenation, and integrates digital systems for high reliability and energy savings.