Industrial catalysts are substances that speed up chemical reactions without being consumed in the process. They are essential in various industries, including petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and environmental applications. By lowering the energy required for reactions, catalysts improve efficiency and reduce costs. These catalysts can be made from metals, metal oxides, or other materials, and they often work by providing a surface for reactants to interact. For example, in the Haber process, an iron catalyst is used to produce ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen, which is crucial for fertilizers and other chemicals.