PP Catalyst Market Amid China Market Ascendency

The Ziegler-Natta-based polypropylene (PP) resin catalyst market (excluding metallocene catalysts) was estimated at around 3700 tonnes in 2024 based on detailed market modeling by MLT Analytics (MLTA). The PP catalyst market has been analyzed in unprecedented detail in our latest market study to be released in September—Global Ziegler-Natta Polypropylene Catalyst Report (2024–2030)—2025 Edition: Supply strategies Amid China PP Market Ascendency.

According to this groundbreaking report, around 77% of the global PP catalyst market is estimated to be phthalate-based. MLTA's modeling approach is based on line-by-line analysis of PP production assets globally taking into account catalyst yields in commercial production environments, plant location, age of the line, grade portfolio of the PP supplier, as well as process and technology used by the line. This approach also leads to the ability to calculate reliable and accurate estimates of PP catalyst supplier market share.

Image: MLT Analytics

Key findings of the report include:

• China will lead the market in PP resin production capacity additions, and hence PP catalyst consumption

• Third-party Chinese PP catalyst suppliers have aggressive expansion plans to serve primarily their local market;

• Capacity rationalization will see declining consumtion or slower growth for PP catalysts in Europe and certain other countries;

• Use of phthalate-based PP catalysts is not restricted by law in any regional market;

• Outside of Europe, adoption of non-phthalate catalysts is more likely to occur based on performance rather than for want of promoting a green image (PP resin portfolio specifically marketed as being based on non-phthalate catalysts);

• Resin suppliers such as SABIC and Borealis have actively developed catalysts exclusively for their external use, although in the future they may become available more widely as third-party supply.

MLTA has also developed a PP catalyst pricing model in collaboration with a European partners that is offered as a separate module for interested parties.