News Release: July 21, 2025
Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts Price Trend in Past Five Years and Factors Impacting Price Movements
Over the past five years, the price trend of Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts has witnessed significant fluctuations, influenced by several global economic, industrial, and geopolitical factors. The prices of these catalysts, which are widely used in hydroprocessing, hydrotreating, and other refining applications, are closely tied to the costs of their constituent metals—nickel and molybdenum—as well as global demand in the energy and chemical sectors.
In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, global industrial activity slowed considerably. The average price of Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts dropped to around $23,000/MT due to low refinery utilization rates and sluggish demand for refined petroleum products. With reduced mobility and decreased consumption of fuels, there was limited requirement for catalysts used in hydrocracking and hydrotreating.
In 2021, as economies began reopening, the demand for transportation fuels rebounded. Consequently, the price of Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts increased to an average of $27,500/MT. The surge was also driven by higher prices of nickel, which rose due to supply constraints from key producing countries and increased interest from the electric vehicle battery market.
The year 2022 marked a high volatility period. Prices surged in the first half, reaching an average of $32,000/MT, largely because of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which disrupted molybdenum supply chains. Russia, being one of the prominent suppliers of molybdenum compounds, witnessed export limitations, tightening global supply. Additionally, the energy crisis in Europe pushed refiners to operate at higher efficiencies, increasing catalyst demand.
In 2023, stabilization began as alternative molybdenum supply chains developed, especially from Latin America and Africa. This helped moderate prices to an average of $30,500/MT. Nonetheless, inflationary pressures and rising labor costs in mining and refining contributed to overall cost increments.
In 2024, a downward correction was observed, with average prices moving to $28,800/MT. The correction stemmed from reduced industrial demand in China due to its slower-than-expected economic recovery. Moreover, inventories were higher than average, especially in North America, causing a temporary surplus.
As we move into 2025, the Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts price trend and production news suggest a stabilization phase with prices holding around $29,200/MT in early 2025. Increasing interest in cleaner fuels and refinery upgrades in Southeast Asia and the Middle East are likely to support demand in the near term. Environmental regulations mandating ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) production are also influencing global sales volume and usage of advanced catalysts.
For more detailed Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts price trend and production news, visit.
Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts Price Trend Quarterly Update in $/MT (Estimated Quarterly Prices)
The estimated quarterly Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts price news for 2025 is outlined below based on prevailing market trends and production volumes.
- Q1 2025: $29,200/MT
- Q2 2025: $30,000/MT
- Q3 2025: $30,700/MT
- Q4 2025: $31,000/MT
These price projections are influenced by anticipated demand spikes during peak refinery utilization periods, ongoing infrastructure upgrades in refining units, and continued geopolitical concerns affecting nickel and molybdenum supply lines.
Global Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts Import-Export Business Overview
The global import-export business of Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts has become increasingly dynamic in 2025, with significant shifts in trade patterns driven by refinery modernization, environmental regulations, and fluctuating prices of base metals. With the Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts price trend stabilizing after years of volatility, many countries are reassessing their procurement and export strategies.
As of 2025, Asia-Pacific continues to dominate both the production and consumption of Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts. China remains the largest producer and consumer, followed closely by India, Japan, and South Korea. These countries maintain high sales volumes due to their extensive refining capacities and growing demand for low-emission fuels.
China, which imports significant quantities of molybdenum and nickel ores, has invested heavily in catalyst manufacturing infrastructure. It also exports semi-finished and finished catalysts to countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Middle East. In 2025, China’s export volume of Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts increased by 12%, driven by increased demand from countries building new hydrotreating units.
India has emerged as both an importer and exporter of catalysts. While it imports high-grade nickel and molybdenum for manufacturing purposes, Indian companies have started exporting refined catalysts to neighboring regions, particularly to the Middle East and Africa. Indian exports grew by 8% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
The United States and Canada, while producing a considerable quantity of catalysts domestically, still rely on imports for specific grades and for supplementing local supply during refinery maintenance seasons. North American imports are primarily sourced from Europe and Asia, especially South Korea and Germany.
The European Union has maintained a balanced trade approach. Countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy continue to export advanced catalyst formulations used in high-throughput refinery units. Due to environmental restrictions and stringent EU laws on sulfur emissions, demand for efficient and regenerable catalysts is growing. This has led to a 5% rise in intra-European catalyst trade and exports to countries with emerging energy sectors such as Brazil and Nigeria.
On the other hand, countries in Latin America and Africa remain largely dependent on imports. Brazil and Nigeria, in particular, have been importing larger volumes of Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts due to increasing investments in their downstream oil and gas sectors. However, logistical challenges and volatile currency exchange rates have impacted trade stability.
The Middle East has significantly increased its demand in 2025, driven by upgrades in refining capacity across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait. These countries, though possessing some catalyst production facilities, continue to rely heavily on imports for high-performance catalysts. Exporters from Europe and China have found strong demand in this region, especially for use in desulfurization and hydrocracking processes.
The global Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts production centers are witnessing expanded capacities. In 2025, at least five new production facilities were commissioned globally—two in China, one in India, one in the UAE, and one in the United States. These new units are expected to increase global supply by approximately 6% annually. This expansion in production is expected to create downward pressure on prices in 2026 unless counterbalanced by increased demand.
In terms of Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts price news, trade agreements and tariff relaxations have played a key role. For instance, the 2025 bilateral trade agreement between South Korea and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has reduced import duties on industrial catalysts, providing a boost to Korean exporters.
Looking at sales volume, global demand in 2025 has risen by nearly 9% compared to 2024. This uptick is largely attributable to increased hydrocarbon refining activity, as well as expanding chemical processing sectors that rely on Ni-Mo based catalysts.
In summary, the global import-export business for Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts is becoming more integrated, with a wider distribution of production and rising trade among emerging economies. The outlook for 2026 suggests continued growth in sales volume, supported by environmental mandates and ongoing investments in refining efficiency.
For a comprehensive overview and request sample, visit:
Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts Production Trends by Geography
Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts production is influenced by regional access to raw materials, refinery infrastructure, government policies, and technological capabilities. As of 2025, production is concentrated in a few key regions that have advanced refining sectors and steady access to nickel and molybdenum. These geographies include Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, and the Middle East, with smaller contributions from Latin America and Africa.
In the Asia-Pacific region, China remains the dominant producer of Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts. China benefits from well-established refining facilities, access to both domestic and imported raw materials, and government incentives for industrial production. Several state-backed enterprises operate large-scale catalyst manufacturing plants that supply both domestic and international markets. In 2025, China has seen an estimated 8% increase in Ni-Mo catalyst output due to rising demand from both its internal refining sector and exports to Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
India has emerged as a fast-growing producer. With significant investments in domestic refineries and increasing demand for desulfurization technologies, Indian manufacturers are scaling up Ni-Mo catalyst production. While still importing some nickel and molybdenum feedstock, India is progressively developing value-added production capacities and has witnessed a 10% rise in production year-over-year. This growth is supported by both public and private sector initiatives focused on downstream petrochemical development.
Japan and South Korea, although smaller in volume compared to China, produce highly specialized Ni-Mo catalysts for advanced refining processes. These countries focus more on high-performance, long-life catalysts used in hydrocracking and hydrodesulfurization applications. With highly automated production lines and R&D-driven product development, these countries maintain a strong position in premium catalyst exports.
In North America, the United States is a key player in Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts production. Leading chemical companies operate large catalyst manufacturing units, supported by strong technological expertise and reliable infrastructure. U.S. producers primarily cater to domestic refiners but also export to Latin America and parts of Asia. The U.S. has seen moderate growth in 2025, focusing on improving catalyst efficiency and regeneration capabilities rather than increasing output volume significantly.
Canada, while having limited production capacity, is investing in research partnerships and pilot-scale manufacturing facilities. Most Canadian demand is still met through imports, but future expansion in its refining sector may encourage local catalyst production growth.
Europe has a well-established production base for Ni-Mo catalysts, particularly in countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy. European manufacturers emphasize environmental compliance, catalyst reusability, and efficiency. Germany leads in both volume and innovation, with several companies exporting customized catalyst solutions to the Middle East and Africa. European producers are also key suppliers to multinational refining companies with operations in developing markets.
The Middle East has seen recent growth in local production, driven by refinery expansions in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. These countries are working toward reducing dependency on imported catalysts by setting up joint ventures with global catalyst producers. New plants have been commissioned in 2025, and the region is expected to account for a larger share of global Ni-Mo catalyst production in the coming years.
In Latin America, production is limited but slowly increasing. Brazil is leading the regional effort with investments in catalyst blending and regeneration units to support its growing refining industry. However, the region continues to rely on imports from North America and Europe to meet most of its needs.
Africa has minimal Ni-Mo catalyst production, limited mostly to blending and packaging operations. However, countries like Nigeria and Egypt are exploring local production possibilities as they invest in downstream oil and gas infrastructure. Production in this region remains highly dependent on foreign technology and investment.
Overall, production trends show strong growth in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, while Europe and North America continue to dominate in terms of technology and product performance. Emerging regions are taking steps to localize production but will require more time to scale effectively. In 2025, global Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts production is expected to grow by around 6% year-on-year, driven by expansion in refining and environmental upgrades globally.
Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts Market Segmentation
Segments:
- By Application
- By End Use Industry
- By Form
- By Distribution Channel
- By Region
1. By Application:
- Hydrodesulfurization (HDS)
- Hydrodenitrogenation (HDN)
- Hydrocracking
- Others
Hydrodesulfurization remains the leading application segment for Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts. With strict global regulations on sulfur content in fuels, refineries around the world are investing in desulfurization units. These catalysts are highly effective in removing sulfur from petroleum products, particularly diesel and gasoline. As demand for ultra-low sulfur fuels continues to rise, the HDS application will dominate market share through 2025 and beyond.
Hydrodenitrogenation is the next significant segment, essential in improving the quality of fuels and reducing nitrogen oxide emissions. Although smaller in scale than HDS, HDN applications are seeing increased attention due to tightening emission norms.
Hydrocracking uses Ni-Mo catalysts to break down heavier hydrocarbon fractions into lighter, more valuable products like jet fuel and naphtha. This application is growing in parallel with the demand for lighter distillates in both developed and emerging markets.
2. By End Use Industry:
- Oil & Gas Refineries
- Petrochemical Industry
- Chemical Processing Plants
- Others
Oil and gas refineries constitute the largest end-user segment. Over 75% of Ni-Mo catalysts are consumed by refineries for fuel processing and upgrading operations. The petrochemical industry follows, using catalysts for feedstock purification. Chemical processing plants also utilize Ni-Mo catalysts for specific hydrogenation and purification reactions, although at lower volumes.
3. By Form:
- Extrudates
- Powder
- Granules
Extrudates are the most widely used form of Ni-Mo catalysts. Their uniform shape and size enable consistent performance in fixed-bed reactors. Powder and granule forms are used in specialized applications, often requiring customized particle size and surface area.
4. By Distribution Channel:
- Direct Sales
- Distributors
Direct sales dominate the market, especially for large refiners and chemical companies that prefer customized catalyst packages and long-term contracts. Distributors play a key role in supplying small and medium enterprises, particularly in developing regions.
5. By Region:
- Asia-Pacific
- North America
- Europe
- Middle East & Africa
- Latin America
Asia-Pacific leads in both consumption and production, with China and India at the forefront. North America and Europe remain technologically advanced markets with steady demand. The Middle East is expanding rapidly due to refinery upgrades, while Latin America and Africa are emerging markets with increasing import reliance.
Market Leadership Summary:
The hydrodesulfurization application, oil & gas refining end-use segment, and extrudate form represent the most dominant areas in the current Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Catalysts market. As environmental standards tighten and fuel quality improves globally, these segments will continue to drive the highest sales volume and influence production strategies. Direct distribution remains preferred for high-volume buyers, while distributors continue to service regional and specialty demand efficiently. Regional growth is led by Asia-Pacific, with the Middle East and Latin America showing the fastest acceleration in demand and infrastructure development.