Chemical catalysis is a process that speeds up chemical reactions without being consumed in the reaction itself. Catalysts lower the activation energy required for a reaction, allowing it to occur more quickly and efficiently. This is crucial in various industries, including pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals, where catalysts help produce desired products with less energy and time. There are two main types of catalysts: homogeneous catalysts, which are in the same phase as the reactants, and heterogeneous catalysts, which are in a different phase. Common examples of catalysts include enzymes in biological systems and metals like platinum used in industrial processes.