Industrial 3D-Printed Catalysts : x3d production plant

BASF launched the world’s first industrial-scale production plant for 3D-printed catalysts at its Ludwigshafen site on March 20, 2026, featuring the company’s proprietary X3D additive-manufacturing process. X3D fabricates catalysts with engineered geometries that combine mechanical strength and an open internal structure, designed to lower pressure drop and expand active surface area inside reactors.

The plant scales X3D output for a broad range of catalyst types, including precious- and base-metal formulations and multiple support materials, and aims to speed customer access from development to supply. BASF cited existing deployments, such as An Hui Jintung’s 2025 adoption of O4-115 X3D sulfuric acid catalysts, and noted plans for virtual briefings to showcase the technology.

For manufacturers the shift means higher reactor throughput and lower energy use per unit of production, improving process efficiency and material utilization. By industrializing additive catalyst production, BASF has turned a years-long pilot offering into a supply-chain-ready solution that aligns with trends in process intensification and digitalized manufacturing.