Professor Claeys’ research focuses on catalysis for energy applications, including the Fischer-Tropsch process. This technology lies at the heart of South Africa’s synthetic fuels and chemicals industry, and plays an increasingly important role worldwide in the production of future green fuels and chemicals from sustainable sources.

Claeys occupies important leadership roles in various catalysis societies, committees and advisory boards. He is also the director of c*change, the South African Department of Science and Innovation/National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Catalysis. Under his leadership c*change has established a strong national and international catalysis network.