The self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) method was used to produce a range of low cost catalysts based on chromite concentrates. The catalysts were tested for the pyrolysis of diesel fuel before and after treatment with solutions of BaCl2, HCl, H2SO4 and H3BO3 and their efficiency was compared with that of Al + Cr2O3 catalysts and thermal pyrolysis. The relative yield of catalytic pyrolysis products depends on the type of catalyst used and the temperature and was as follows: CH4: 22-67%, C2H6: 0-19%, C2H4: 6-32%, C3H8: 0-16%, C3H6: 0-26%, C-4-C-5: 0-13%, H-2: 14-59%. Coke formation was significantly suppressed by the use of the SHS catalysts: 8% on average as compared to 16-19% for thermal pyrolysis. These investigations showed that chromite concentrates can be successfully used as an inexpensive raw material for the production of catalysts via the SHS method for processes of gasification and dehydrogenation of diesel fuel. Their dehydrogenation potential is particularly promising.