자동차용 촉매 시장 규모는 2024년 277억 달러로 평가되었고, 2026-2032년 연평균 4.24% 성장하여 2032년에는 426억 달러에 달할 것으로 예측됩니다.
자동차용 촉매 시장은 자동차 배기 시스템에 사용되는 촉매 컨버터의 제조 및 판매와 관련이 있습니다. 촉매 컨버터는 일산화탄소, 질소산화물(NOx), 탄화수소 등의 유해 오염물질을 이산화탄소, 수증기 등 유해성이 낮은 화학물질로 전환하는 중요한 자동차 부품입니다.
자동차용 촉매는 일반적으로 내연기관에서 배출되는 독성 오염물질을 보다 안전한 화합물로 변환하여 유해한 배출가스를 줄이기 위해 자동차에 사용됩니다. 가장 널리 사용되는 것은 질소산화물(NOx), 일산화탄소(CO), 탄화수소를 줄이는 가솔린 및 디젤 엔진용 촉매 컨버터입니다.
자동차용 촉매 시장은 하이브리드 자동차 및 전기자동차(EV)의 보급과 함께 발전할 것으로 예측됩니다. 완전한 전기자동차는 촉매 컨버터가 필요하지 않지만, 하이브리드 자동차는 여전히 내연기관 엔진에 의존하고 있어 자동차용 촉매에 대한 수요를 촉진하고 있습니다.
세계 자동차용 촉매 시장을 형성하는 주요 시장 역학은 다음과 같습니다.
주요 시장 성장 촉진요인
엄격한 배기가스 규제: 세계 각국 정부는 질소산화물(NOx), 일산화탄소(CO), 탄화수소 등 자동차에서 배출되는 위험한 배기가스를 줄이기 위해 더욱 엄격한 배기가스 규제를 제정하고 있습니다. 유럽의 Euro VI, 인도의 BS-VI, 중국의 국가 VI 오염 기준 등의 규제로 인해 자동차 제조업체들은 이러한 기준을 달성하기 위해 최신 자동차용 촉매를 사용하게 되었습니다.
자동차 생산의 성장: 세계 자동차 수요 증가, 특히 중국과 인도와 같은 경제 성장국의 자동차 수요 증가는 자동차용 촉매에 대한 수요를 증가시키고 있습니다. 더 많은 자동차가 도로를 달릴수록, 특히 개발도상국에서는 배기가스 저감에 도움이 되는 촉매 컨버터에 대한 수요도 그만큼 증가할 것입니다.
하이브리드 자동차로의 전환: 하이브리드 및 가솔린 자동차의 인기가 높아짐에 따라 가솔린 엔진용으로 설계된 팔라듐 기반 촉매에 대한 수요가 증가하고 있습니다. 고객과 제조업체가 하이브리드 차량으로 전환함에 따라 고급 촉매 시스템에 대한 필요성이 증가함에 따라 시장은 더욱 확대될 것입니다.
주요 과제:
전기자동차(EV)의 부상: 가장 중요한 과제 중 하나는 기존의 촉매 컨버터가 필요 없는 전기자동차에 대한 수요가 증가하고 있다는 점입니다. 소비자들이 환경적 이점을 찾아 EV로 전환하고 제조업체들이 생산을 확대함에 따라 자동차용 촉매에 대한 수요는 특히 전기화 집약적인 분야에서 감소할 수 있습니다.
규제 변화: 지금까지는 엄격한 환경 규제가 자동차용 촉매에 대한 수요를 견인해 왔지만, 이러한 규제는 변화하고 있습니다. 배기가스 규제의 변화는 생산자들에게 규제 준수 비용과 새로운 촉매 기술 개발 측면에서 불확실성을 야기할 수 있습니다.
공급망 취약성: 자동차용 촉매 시장은 주로 백금족 금속(PGM)에 의존하고 있어 가격 변동과 공급망 중단이 발생하기 쉽습니다. 가격 변동은 촉매 컨버터의 생산 비용과 수익성에 영향을 미칠 수 있습니다.
주요 동향
배기가스 규제 강화: 전 세계 각국 정부는 대기 오염을 해결하기 위해 엄격한 배기가스 규제를 제정하고 있습니다. 유럽의 Euro VI 및 Euro VII와 같은 규제와 아시아에서 이와 유사한 요구사항은 보다 효율적인 촉매 컨버터에 대한 수요를 증가시키고 있습니다. 이러한 규제 강화로 인해 제조업체들은 유해한 배출가스를 최소화하는 첨단 촉매 기술에 대한 투자를 늘리고 있습니다.
팔라듐 촉매로의 전환: 백금 가격이 상승함에 따라, 많은 제조업체들은 동일한 성능을 더 저렴하게 제공하는 팔라듐 촉매로 전환하고 있습니다. 팔라듐은 가솔린 차량의 배기가스 규제에 있어 백금보다 비용 효율적입니다.
기술 발전: 촉매 조성 및 담체 기술의 개선으로 자동차용 촉매의 효율과 수명이 향상되고 있습니다. 연구자들은 촉매 공정을 개선하기 위한 새로운 재료와 방법을 발견하고 있으며, 그 결과 더 작은 크기의 촉매 시스템에서 더 적은 배출량과 더 나은 성능을 달성하고 있습니다. 이러한 개발은 차량의 무게와 크기를 줄이면서 규제 기준을 달성하는 데 매우 중요합니다.
Auto Catalyst Market size was valued at USD 27.7 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 42.6 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.24% from 2026 to 2032.
The car catalyst market is concerned with the manufacture and distribution of catalytic converters used in automotive exhaust systems. Catalytic converters are vital vehicle components that convert toxic pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and hydrocarbons into less damaging chemicals such as carbon dioxide and water vapor.
Autocatalysts are typically used in vehicles to reduce harmful emissions by transforming toxic pollutants from internal combustion engines into safer compounds. The most prevalent use is in catalytic converters for gasoline and diesel engines which help reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbons.
The auto catalyst market is projected to evolve as hybrid and electric cars (EVs) gain popularity. While fully electric vehicles do not require catalytic converters, hybrid vehicles continue to rely on internal combustion engines fueling the demand for auto catalysts.
The key market dynamics that are shaping the global auto catalyst market include:
Key Market Drivers:
Stringent Emission Regulations: Governments around the world are enacting tougher emission regulations to decrease dangerous emissions from automobiles including nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbons. Regulations such as Euro VI in Europe, BS-VI in India, and China's National VI pollution standards are driving automakers to use modern car catalysts to achieve these criteria.
Growth in Vehicle Production: Rising global demand for automobiles, particularly in growing economies like as China and India, is driving up demand for auto catalysts. As more vehicles enter the road, there is a commensurate increase in the requirement for catalytic converters that help reduce emissions, especially in locations with increasing development.
Shift toward Hybrid Automobiles: The growing popularity of hybrid and gasoline automobiles is driving up demand for palladium-based catalysts designed for gasoline engines. As customers and manufacturers transition toward hybrid models, the necessity for sophisticated catalytic systems increases further expanding the market.
Key Challenges:
Rise of Electric Vehicles (EVs): One of the most significant issues is the growing demand for electric vehicles which do not require traditional catalytic converters. As consumers migrate to EVs for their environmental benefits and manufacturers ramp up production, the demand for automotive catalysts may decline, particularly in electrification-intensive areas.
Regulatory Changes: While strict environmental rules have historically fueled demand for automobile catalysts, these regulations are changing. Changes in emission standards might create uncertainty for producers in terms of compliance costs and the development of new catalytic technology.
Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: The automotive catalyst market is primarily dependent on platinum group metals (PGMs) which are prone to price fluctuation and supply chain interruptions. Price fluctuations might impact production costs and profitability for catalytic converters.
Key Trends:
Rising Emission Regulations: Governments around the world are enacting severe emission limits to address air pollution. Regulations like Euro VI and VII in Europe as well as comparable requirements in Asia are pushing demand for more efficient catalytic converters. This regulatory drive encourages manufacturers to invest in sophisticated catalyst technology that successfully minimizes hazardous emissions.
Shift to Palladium Catalysts: As platinum prices rise, many manufacturers are turning to palladium catalysts which provide comparable performance at a cheaper cost. Palladium is more cost-effective than platinum for regulating emissions in gasoline automobiles.
Technological Advancements: Improvements in catalyst compositions and substrate technology are increasing the efficiency and lifetime of vehicle catalysts. Researchers are discovering new materials and methods to improve catalytic processes resulting in fewer emissions and better performance from smaller catalyst systems. These developments are crucial in achieving regulatory criteria while reducing vehicle weight and dimensions.
Here is a more detailed regional analysis of the global auto catalyst market:
Asia Pacific:
The Asia-Pacific region dominates the worldwide auto catalyst market owing to its large automobile production and rigorous emissions standards. China, Japan, and India are the primary contributors to this market supremacy. The Asia Pacific auto catalyst market is being driven primarily by the region's booming automobile manufacturing sector. According to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), Asia will produce 46.73 million automobiles in 2021, accounting for 55.9% of total global output.
This massive manufacturing volume corresponds directly to the growing demand for vehicle catalysts. Another key driver is the implementation of tighter emission standards across the region. The growing worry about air pollution in major Asian cities fuels the vehicle catalyst market.
According to the World Health Organization, 99% of the world's population breathes air that exceeds WHO guidelines with Asian cities among the most polluted. Furthermore, increased disposable income in emerging economies promotes car ownership. According to World Bank data, the number of motor vehicles per thousand persons in East Asia and the Pacific climbed from 69 in 2010 to 179 in 2019.
North America:
North American is expanding rapidly in the auto catalyst market with the United States leading the way due to strict pollution rules and a thriving automotive industry. This region is projected to become one of the world's fastest-growing markets, owing to increased vehicle manufacturing and a trend toward cleaner technologies.
Stringent pollution requirements are a significant driver of the North American car catalyst market.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set lofty goals demanding a fleet-wide average of 40.4 miles per gallon for 2026 model-year automobiles, up from 32 mpg in 2022. According to the US Department of Energy, plug-in electric car sales nearly doubled between 2020 and 2021, from 308,000 to 608,000 units. This shift toward electrification, along with the short-term dominance of internal combustion engines, results in a diversified and rising market for auto catalysts.
Furthermore, the aging vehicle fleet in North America with an average age of 12.2 years for light vehicles in the United States, according to S&P Global Mobility indicates a robust replacement market for catalytic converters. These factors contribute to the North American auto catalyst market's rapid expansion making it an important region for industry participants and technological advancements in emission control systems.
The Global Auto Catalyst Market is segmented based on Product, Application, and Geography.
Based on the Product, the Global Auto Catalyst Market is bifurcated into Platinum Catalyst, Palladium Catalyst, Rhodium Catalyst, and Other. In the global auto catalyst market, the palladium catalyst is dominant due to its cost-effectiveness and high efficiency in hydrocarbon oxidation. Palladium is particularly favored for gasoline engines which are more common than diesel engines worldwide. Its thermal stability and ability to reduce carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides make it highly efficient in catalytic converters.
Based on the Application, the Global Auto Catalyst Market is bifurcated into Light-Duty Vehicles (LDV)-Gasoline, Light-Duty Vehicles (LDV)-Diesel, HDV. In the global auto catalyst market, Light-Duty Vehicles (LDV)-Gasoline dominates the application segment. This is primarily due to the widespread adoption of gasoline-powered vehicles, particularly in regions like North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, where gasoline engines are preferred for personal and commercial use. Gasoline engines require three-way catalytic converters, which are highly efficient in controlling emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides.
Based on Geography, the Global Auto Catalyst Market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Asia Pacific dominates the global auto catalyst market driven by rapid industrialization, increasing vehicle production, and stringent emission regulations. The region's growing automotive industry, particularly in China and India, has led to a surge in demand for automotive catalysts to control harmful emissions from vehicles. Countries like China have implemented strict environmental regulations including State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) policies which have increased the use of autocatalysis.
The "Global Auto Catalyst Market" study report will provide valuable insight with an emphasis on the global market. The major players in the market are BASF, Johnson Matthey, DuPont, DSM, Umicore, Cataler, Clariant, Haldor Topsoe, Heraeus, LG Chemical, Toyobo, Mitsubishi, and CDTI.
Our market analysis also entails a section solely dedicated to such major players wherein our analysts provide an insight into the financial statements of all the major players, along with product benchmarking and SWOT analysis. The competitive landscape section also includes key development strategies, market share, and market ranking analysis of the above-mentioned players globally.