The catalytic combustion of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) by metal oxide catalysts coated on the monolith support was investigated. The prepared catalysts were tested at temperatures between 300 and 800degreesC and at varying gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) values with an excess air ratio of 3100%. The catalyst, whose composition was 18% Cr2O3, 2% Ce2O3 and 80% gamma-Al2O3, was found to almost completely oxidize CCl4. The operating conditions proposed are 5702h(-1) for GHSV, 3100% excess air and a temperature slightly higher than 800degreesC. The reaction rate expression was found to be independent of oxygen partial pressure but strongly dependent on CCl4 partial pressure. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.