# Industrial 3D-Printed Catalysts BASF Launched the Industrial-Scale X3D Production Plant By Colin Smith | Written with AI assistance | Published 2026-04-06 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xd-production-plant References: [3dprinting](https://3dprinting.com/news/basf-starts-up-worlds-first-industrial-scale-3d-printed-catalyst-plant-in-ludwigshafen/)  [BASF](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emissions-control) launched the world’s first [industrial-scale production plant for 3D-printed catalysts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/additive-manufacturing-facility) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Additive-manufacturing-scaling), BASF has turned a years-long pilot offering into a supply-chain-ready solution that aligns with trends in process intensification and digitalized manufacturing. Image Credit: BASF ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.8/10 - Popularity: 47% | Activity: 57% | Freshness: 71% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Additive Catalyst Manufacturing:** The transition from pilot to industrial-scale 3D printing of catalysts presents opportunities to rethink catalyst production workflows and decentralize supply for specialized chemistries. - **Engineered Catalyst Geometries:** Custom internal architectures that reduce pressure drop and increase surface area create potential for catalysts that deliver higher throughput and lower energy intensity in existing reactors. - **Digitalized Catalyst Development:** Integration of digital design-to-production pipelines shortens time-to-supply and opens space for simulation-driven, performance-optimized catalyst portfolios. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Chemical Manufacturing:** Manufacturers stand to benefit from catalysts that boost process intensification, enabling smaller reactors and improved material utilization across bulk and specialty chemistries. - **Petrochemical and Refining:** Refineries and petrochemical plants may experience lowered energy consumption and increased throughput through adoption of additively produced catalysts with tailored flow and activity profiles. - **Industrial Reactor and Equipment Oems:** Producers of reactors and process equipment could capture value by designing systems optimized for porous, 3D-printed catalyst geometries and related handling requirements. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Recycled 3D Filaments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recycled-filament.md) - [3D-Printed Pharmacy Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pete-pharma.md) - [Large-Format 3D Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bambu-lab-h2s.md) - [High-Temperature Filament Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/industrial-filament.md) - [Large-Format Additive Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/large-format-printers.md) - [Recycled-Metal Production Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brose-and-farsoon.md) - [Adaptable 3D Printing Resins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dprinting-resin.md) - [Industrial 3D Printing Partnerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/exone-and-voxeljet.md) - [Ribbed 3D-Printed Floor Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selective-cement-activation.md)