The automotive catalytic converter market is estimated to be valued at USD 169.5 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 302.55 Bn by 2031. It is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6% from 2024 to 2031. Strict emission norms implemented by governments across the globe considering the rise in pollution levels are helping drive automotive catalytic converters market.

Market Driver - Growing Concerns about Human Health and the Environment due to Pollution

With increasing levels of pollution across major cities all over the world, people have become more conscious about the deteriorating air quality and the health hazards associated with it. We are seeing cities being blanketed under thick smog which is especially worrisome during winters. The rising number of reports linking air pollution to serious health issues like respiratory illnesses, heart diseases and even cancer has rung alarm bells.

Almost every modern vehicle today relies heavily on internal combustion engines which burn fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel to generate power. However, this burning process results in the formation of toxic gases like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter which are released through the vehicle tailpipe. This has increased the health risks faced by city-dwellers, especially those living in close proximity to heavy traffic routes.

Rising public outcry over the issue has put public health at the center of discussions around vehicular emissions. This will ultimately improve positive growth prospects in the automotive catalytic converter market.

Market Driver - Stricter Emission Regulations Pushing Automotive Manufacturers to Adopt Catalytic Converters

In response to the urgent need to reduce vehicular pollution, regulatory bodies across countries have been regularly tightening emission norms for automakers. Stricter emission standards essentially force automakers to develop technologies that can help attain the new compliance limits within the stipulated timelines. One of the game changing technologies evolved by automakers to meet these stringent norms globally has been the automotive catalytic converter.

Automakers rely on automotive catalytic converters to cut down tailpipe emissions to legally permissible levels. By helping convert over 90% of harmful hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, automotive catalytic converters have significantly reduced emissions from fossil fuel dependent vehicles.

Going ahead, it is imperative that authorities maintain the momentum of tightening norms in line with latest health research findings. It will also accelerate their efforts towards newer electrified technologies, bridging the gap until vehicles powered solely by cleaner alternative fuels become mainstream. Both tighter regulations as well as growing health consciousness are expected to remain key drivers of the automotive catalytic converter market.

Market Challenge - Rise of Electric Vehicles Reducing Demand for Catalytic Converters

One of the major challenges faced by the automotive catalytic converter market is the rising popularity of electric vehicles. As concerns over environmental pollution and carbon emissions increase, more consumers and manufacturers are shifting their focus towards electric vehicles. Battery and charging technology improvements are making electric vehicles a more viable option even for long-distance drivers.

Several countries have also proposed plans to phase out or ban petrol and diesel vehicles in the coming years in order to meet climate change goals. This transition towards electric is expected to significantly reduce the demand for catalytic converters. As electric vehicles do not utilize internal combustion engines, there is no need for exhaust emission control systems like automotive catalytic converters.

While the electric vehicle market is still in a nascent stage, its projected high growth rates can negatively impact the sales in the automotive catalytic converter market in the long run. This is true if mainstream automakers continue to invest more in electric vehicle development and production.

Market Opportunity - Technological Advancements in Catalytic Converter Development

One major opportunity for the automotive catalytic converter market lies in ongoing technological advancements in converter materials and designs. Stricter emission regulations around the globe are forcing automakers to adopt more advanced catalytic converter systems for their vehicles. This is driving the demand for new automotive catalytic converter technologies with improved conversion efficiency and durability.

Nanotechnology is being extensively researched to enhance the surface area of precious metal catalysts used. Coating technologies are also evolving to protect catalysts from contamination and poisoning. Additionally, compact dual-bed and triple-bed designs are allowing converters to meet multiple gas treatment requirements simultaneously.

Automakers in the automotive catalytic converter market are also exploring electrically heated catalytic converters for quicker start-up of emission control. Such continuous product and material innovations aimed at optimizing performance. Meeting regulatory compliance could open newer growth avenues for catalytic converter manufacturers and suppliers in the coming years.

Strategies focused on emission control technology advancement:

Stringent emission norms have pushed automakers to develop advanced emission control solutions in the automotive catalytic converter market. For example, in the last decade, players like Johnson Matthey, BASF, and Continental adopted heavy R&D to develop more efficient catalytic converters using improved substrate materials and coating formulations.

Local production and supply chain integration:

Establishing local manufacturing presence near customers helps gain automotive catalytic converter market share and reduce costs. For example, in 2010, Continental built a new plant in Mexico to supply the country and U.S. markets. Their integrated supply chain lowered inventory and delivery time.

Strong customer relationships and supply agreements:

Long-term supply agreements with major automakers provide revenue stability in the automotive catalytic converter market.

Insights, By Type: Three-Way Oxidation-Reduction: The Dominant Player

In terms of type, three-way oxidation-reduction converters contribute 49.2% share of the automotive catalytic converter market in 2024. This is owing to their high efficiency and ubiquitous usage. This type of catalytic converter utilizes a redox reaction to simultaneously convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, unburned hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water, and nitrogen oxides to nitrogen and oxygen.

As gasoline continues to be the primary fuel for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, demand for three-way converters from the automotive sector remains robust. Their user-friendly design has also encouraged aftermarket installations, further spurring segment sales. With technology improvements enhancing catalytic efficacy, three-way oxidation-reduction converters are poised to stay the dominant player in the automobile catalytic converter market.

Insights, By Application: Palladium: The Workhorse Material

Among application types, palladium contributes 53.1% share of the automotive catalytic converter market in 2024. This is due to its excellent catalytic properties. Palladium is highly efficient at converting hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide into less noxious substances. It exhibits high activity even at temperatures below that of platinum, expanding the effective operating temperature window of catalytic converters.

Furthermore, palladium is significantly more affordable than platinum or rhodium. This cost-effectiveness, coupled with matching catalytic performance, has made it the hydrocarbon oxidation catalyst of choice. With hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide being major constituents of exhaust gases, especially from gasoline engines, palladium is irreplaceable in eliminating them. Thereby, this will contribute to new trends in the automotive catalytic converter market.

• Vehicle Emissions Research (Australia): Research by Dr. Kelvin Say and Ms. Clare Walter revealed that vehicle emissions in Australia result in over 11,000 premature deaths annually. It also leads to hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
• Carbon Emissions by Gasoline Vehicles: On average, a gasoline vehicle emits about 400 grams of CO2 per mile, translating to 4.6 metric tons annually.
• Global Warming Impact: Vehicles are significant contributors to global warming, with harmful emissions that necessitate the use of catalytic converters.

The major players operating in the automotive catalytic converter market include Marelli Holdings Co., Ltd., Deccats, Eberspächer GmbH & Co.KG, European Exhaust & Catalyst Ltd., FORVIA Faurecia, BASF SE, BENTELER International AG, BM Catalysts Limited, Bosal International, HJS Emission Technology GmbH & Co. KG, Jetex Exhausts Ltd., Katcon SA de CV, Klarius Products Ltd., and Tenneco, Inc.

• In July 2024, Laser Photonics Corporation launched the MarkStar Handheld VIN, expanding their range of laser marking and engraving systems.
• In January 2024, BASF and Heraeus formed a joint venture, BASF Heraeus Metal Resource, to recover precious metals from automotive catalytic converters in China.
• In January 2024, Elphinstone launched the E15 model in its Underground Hard Rock Support Vehicle range. The innovative electronic design significantly reduces the retarder's energy consumption, preserving electric circuits.
• In February 2023, Renault updated its line of vehicles (TRIBER, KIGER, KWID) to meet the new BS-VI Step 2 emission norms in India.

• By Type
  • Three-Way Oxidation-Reduction
  • Two-Way Oxidation
  • Diesel Oxidation Catalyst
• By Application
  • Palladium
  • Platinum
  • Rhodium