Global Automotive Emission Control Catalyst Market Assessment, By Vehicle Type [Passenger Vehicles, Commercial Vehicles], By Metal Type [Palladium-based catalysts, Platinum-based catalysts, Rhodium-based catalysts, Others], By Catalytic Converter Type [Diesel Oxidation Catalyst, Selective Catalytic Reduction, Three-way Catalytic Converter, Four-way Catalytic Converter, Others], By Sales Channel [Original Equipment Manufacturer, Aftermarket], By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2018-2032F

Global automotive emission control catalyst market is projected to witness a CAGR of 5.71% during the forecast period 2025-2032, growing from USD 48.21 billion in 2024 to USD 75.20 billion in 2032F, as the catalyst becomes critical components installed in automotive exhaust systems to minimize the release of harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbons (HC). These catalysts transform toxic emissions into less harmful substances using platinum group metals (PGMs) such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium.  

Attributes	Details
Base Year	2024
Forecast Period	2025-2032F
Historical Period	2018-2023
Projected Growth Rate	CAGR of 5.71% between 2025 and 2032
Revenue Forecast in 2032	USD 75.20 billion

With increasing pressure from global environmental regulations, rising vehicle production, and technological innovations in catalyst materials, the market is witnessing robust growth across developed and emerging regions. Nations, along with companies, develop emission control systems through higher research and development.

For instance, in August 2024, BASF Catalysts India Private Limited inaugurated a new Research, Development, and Application (RD&A) lab for automotive emissions control solutions at its Chennai facility. This strategic investment is focused on developing advanced emissions control catalysts tailored to the Indian automotive market, supporting the industry’s transition to cleaner fuels like CNG, biofuels, and hydrogen. The new lab aims to help automakers meet upcoming stricter emissions standards while providing end-to-end support for local end-users.

Stricter Emission Regulations to Fuel the Automotive Emission Control Catalyst Market Demand

The major driver of the automotive emission control catalyst market is the worldwide implementation of stringent vehicular emission regulations. Regulatory frameworks such as Euro 6 and the upcoming Euro 7 norms in Europe, BS-VI in India, and Tier 3 standards in the United States require automotive manufacturers to significantly reduce tailpipe emissions. These standards necessitate the integration of high-performance catalytic converters that can efficiently convert carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides into less harmful compounds. Emerging economies are also aligning with global sustainability goals, further tightening their local emission norms. The continuous rise in global vehicle production, particularly in countries such as China, India, and Mexico, is positively impacting the demand for emission control catalysts. Even as electric vehicles gain traction, the internal combustion engine (ICE) segment, including hybrids, continues to dominate global sales. The developed economies, on the other hand, tend to upgrade their pollution norms for passenger and commercial vehicles.

For instance, in March 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency declared the final national pollution standards for passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles for model years 2027 through 2032 and beyond. These final standards fulfill the substantial pollution reductions specified in the proposed rule, while also expediting the adoption of cleaner vehicle technologies. The EPA is finalizing this regulation as the sales of clean vehicles, which include plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicles, continue to rise.

Material Innovation to Shape Automotive Emission Control Catalyst Market Dynamics

Technological advancements are really shaking up in the automotive catalyst industry. The rise of nanostructured catalysts and innovative substrate materials has boosted the surface area and efficiency of catalyst reactions. Manufacturers are pouring resources into research aimed at cutting down on the use of pricey precious metals such as platinum and rhodium, all while keeping or even enhancing catalytic performance. They are diving into advanced materials such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), ceria-zirconia supports, and zeolites to improve oxygen storage and thermal durability. These breakthroughs are essential for meeting the growing demands for emission reductions without significantly hiking up costs. With the fluctuating prices of platinum group metals, there is a strong push towards recycling and recovery processes for used automotive catalysts.

For instance, in September 2024, Neo Automotive inaugurated a production facility for emissions control catalysts in China. This innovative facility has begun to obtain customer approvals, encompassing several significant product lines. The new facility represents a modernization and enhancement of its previous catalyst plant located in Zibo, featuring increased capacity, enhanced operational efficiencies, and state-of-the-art processing technology.

Palladium-based Catalyst Leads in the Global Automotive Emission Control Catalyst Market

Palladium-based catalysts currently dominate the automotive emission control catalyst market due to their superior performance in gasoline engine applications and lower cost compared to rhodium and platinum. As global vehicle trends shift away from diesel and toward gasoline and hybrid powertrains, palladium’s role has become more central. It provides effective oxidation of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, especially during cold starts, which is critical for meeting modern emission standards. Moreover, its lower volatility in certain chemical reactions makes it a preferred material for stable and long-lasting catalytic converters.

The widespread use of gasoline vehicles in North America and Asia further fuels palladium demand. Manufacturers are optimizing catalyst formulations to reduce the overall palladium content while maintaining performance, but the metal remains the most favored due to its balance of cost, availability, and efficiency in real-world driving conditions, keeping it at the forefront of the catalyst market.

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Automotive Emission Control Catalyst Market Size

Asia-Pacific dominates the global automotive emission control catalyst market due to its large vehicle manufacturing base, expanding regulatory mandates, and increasing environmental consciousness. China, the world’s largest auto producer, has implemented strict China 6 emission standards, comparable to or stricter than Euro 6. India’s adoption of Bharat Stage VI norms, leapfrogging from BS-IV, has accelerated demand for high-quality catalytic converters.

For instance, in September 2024, Cummins India (Cummins Inc.) introduced the Retrofit Aftertreatment System (RAS), a groundbreaking clean air solution enabling customers to utilize their current CPCBII and CPCBI gensets while adhering to the most recent genset emission regulations. This highly effective and locally designed retrofit emission control device significantly diminishes Particulate Matter (PM), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Hydrocarbon (HC) emissions from genset exhaust by up to 90%.

Southeast Asian nations, including Thailand and Indonesia, are also tightening emission regulations in line with international standards. Additionally, rising urban pollution and health concerns are pushing governments to enforce catalytic technologies across vehicle segments. Domestic production incentives and the availability of cost-effective manufacturing facilities attract global catalyst manufacturers to set up operations in the region. These dynamics make Asia-Pacific not only the largest but also the fastest-growing market, with continuous investments in both innovation and localization of emission control technologies.

Download Free Sample Report

Impact of the U.S. Tariffs on the Automotive Emission Control Catalyst Market

New U.S. tariffs in 2025 are reshaping the automotive emission control catalyst market by increasing import costs for platinum group metals and specialized chemicals, prompting manufacturers to reassess supply chains and production strategies. While these tariffs aim to boost domestic manufacturing, they also raise prices and create uncertainty. Companies are responding with nearshoring, alliances, and flexible procurement to maintain supply continuity and competitive positioning.

Report Scope

“Global Automotive Emission Control Catalyst Market Assessment, Opportunities and Forecast, 2018-2032F”, is a comprehensive report by Markets and Data, providing in-depth analysis and qualitative and quantitative assessment of the current state of the global automotive emission control catalyst market, industry dynamics, and challenges. The report includes market size, segmental shares, growth trends, opportunities, and forecasts between 2025 and 2032. Additionally, the report profiles the leading players in the industry, mentioning their respective market share, business models, competitive intelligence, etc.

Report Attribute	Details
Segments Covered	Vehicle Type, Metal Type, Catalytic Converter Type, Sales Channel
Regions Covered	North America, Europe, South America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa
Key Companies Profiled	BASF SE, Johnson Matthey Plc, UMICORE NV, Corning Incorporated, Solvay Group, Tenneco Inc, Cataler Corporation, Heraeus Holding GmbH, Clariant Ltd, Honeywell International Inc.
Customization Scope	15% free report customization with purchase
Pricing and Purchase Options	Avail the customized purchase options to fulfill your precise research needs
Delivery Format	PDF and Excel through email (subject to the license purchased)

In the report, the global automotive emission control catalyst market has been segmented into the following categories: 

• By Vehicle Type
  • Passenger Vehicles
  • Commercial Vehicles
• By Metal Type
  • Palladium-based catalysts
  • Platinum-based catalysts
  • Rhodium-based catalysts
  • Others
• By Catalytic Converter Type
  • Diesel Oxidation Catalyst
  • Selective Catalytic Reduction
  • Three-way Catalytic Converter
  • Four-way Catalytic Converter
  • Others
• By Sales Channel
  • Original Equipment Manufacturer
  • Aftermarket
• By Region
  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia-Pacific
  • South America
  • Middle East and Africa

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

Leading catalyst manufacturers are employing a multi-pronged strategy to stay competitive in the face of evolving environmental regulations and raw material challenges. One major focus is the regionalization of supply chains to reduce risks from geopolitical disruptions and tariffs. Companies are also investing heavily in R&D to develop lower-PGM and high-efficiency catalyst technologies, leveraging nanotechnology and advanced substrate designs. Another key area is sustainability, with firms ramping up metal recovery operations and entering partnerships with dismantling and recycling units.

Strategic joint ventures in growth markets such as China, India, and Brazil help cater to local regulatory demands while reducing operational costs. These strategies enable players to remain agile, compliant, and cost-effective in a market where both environmental expectations and consumer demand are rising steadily.

For instance, in April 2025, May 2025, Honeywell International Inc. announced an agreement to acquire Johnson Matthey Plc’s Catalyst Technologies business for approximately USD 2.4 billion in an all-cash deal. This acquisition significantly expands Honeywell’s portfolio in catalyst and process technologies, particularly in refining, petrochemicals, and renewable fuels. The transaction is expected to enhance Honeywell’s capabilities, create integrated offerings for lower-emission fuels, and deliver substantial cost synergies, with the deal anticipated to close by the first half of 2026.

Key Players Operating in the Global Automotive Emission Control Catalyst Market are:

• BASF SE
• Johnson Matthey Plc
• UMICORE NV
• Corning Incorporated
• Solvay Group
• Tenneco Inc
• Cataler Corporation
• Heraeus Holding GmbH
• Clariant Ltd
• Honeywell International Inc

If you can't find what you're searching for or have any custom requirements for the global automotive emission control catalyst market, you may approach our team at info@marketsandata.com.