ADI provided ongoing market intelligence on catalyst innovations and licensing trends across the petrochemical value chain. The analysis focused on technology scale-up for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), renewable diesel, and advanced plastics recycling. Strategic risks, including the impact of IMO 2020 on refinery configurations and the growth of crude-to-chemicals (COTC) projects, were evaluated.
The client
Global specialty chemical provider
The situation
Decision risk regarding R&D investment in renewable fuel catalysts and competitive threats from COTC projects.
ADI’s contributions
Technology trend monitoring
Tracked patent filings and pilot project announcements to identify emerging leaders in chemical recycling technologies.
Impact analysis of COTC
Evaluated how integrated crude-to-chemicals complexes disrupt traditional catalyst and licensing business models.
Renewable fuels deep-dive
Analyzed catalyst requirements and process step constraints for HVO and HEFA-based sustainable fuel production.
Peer benchmarking
Benchmarked the financial performance and R&D spend of top-tier catalyst and technology licensors.
Key outcomes
- Supported long-term innovation strategy and prioritized catalyst development for bio-based feedstock conversion.
More insights
Global diesel markets are leaning more on North America
While diesel production in the Americas increased through the first half of 2026, output in Europe and Asia declined, increasing reliance on North American exports to help balance global supply. This comes at a time when middle distillate markets remain critical to freight, industrial, and commercial activity, making reliable diesel supply increasingly important for many […]
Newsletter: Catalyst M&A, plant expansions, and tech development
In September 2026 edition, chemical portfolio realignment continued to accelerate. Shell is exploring the sale of its U.S. chemicals business, while TotalEnergies acquired Shell’s European renewables unit and Lotte Chemical moves to divest its Southeast Asian petrochemical subsidiaries. Sika expanded its adhesives and sealants footprint in Turkey, and Mitsui increased its stake in Nutrinova to […]
2026 August SAF Tracker highlights – #92
SAF investment scaled across offtake, production, and technology. EVA Air signed an MoU with AIT Worldwide Logistics to provide SAF environmental attributes supporting Microsoft’s Scope 3 emissions reductions, while Shanghai Electric Group broke ground on the next phase of its green fuel complex in China. Sumitomo Heavy Industries began trial operations at a biomass gasification […]