KATAPAK-SP and -S are structured catalytic packings for reactive distillation or gas-liquid reactors available from laboratory to industrial scale. Applying the KATAPAK-SP concept, the ratio of catalyst volume fraction to separation efficiency can be varied over a wide range, therefore the design of a reactive distillation column can be further optimized to fit each reaction system best. Pressure drop, separation efficiency, dynamic liquid hold-up and residence time distribution have been investigated for KATAPAK-SP in a diameter of 250 mm. Results for different gas and liquid loads are presented. The findings are compared with results for the structured laboratory scale packing KATAPAK-S and the industrial scale packing KATAPAK-S 170.Y. The dehydration of tert-butyl alcohol was selected as a sample reaction to illustrate the influence of different catalytic structures on the performance of the reactive distillation column. The setups are compared with respect to dimensions and economics.