A modern chemical industry first of all requires an economical chemical production. Most chemical processes contain at least one catalytic step. Due to this fact, catalyst research today is one of the cornerstones of a modern chemical industry. Using the selective hydrogenation of acetylene in the C2-stream of a steam cracker, the hydro-treating of the C4-stream and the hydrogenation of carbon oxides to methanol as examples, this paper emphasizes the importance of catalyst research. The BASF Catalyst H 0-11 and the hydro-treatment process SELOP C4(R) are presented as results of catalyst research. They form part of an integrated approach which also considers sophisticated process design and intelligent feed stock processing. Finally, BASF Catalyst S 3-86 for the synthesis of methanol serves as an example where catalyst research itself enabled a significant commercial improvement.