In the oil refining industry, reformate refers to a high-octane, aromatic-rich product produced by the catalytic reforming process. This process converts low-octane naphthas distilled from crude oil into high-octane reformates, which are premium blending stocks for high-octane gasoline.

The catalytic reforming process involves the rearrangement of hydrocarbon molecules in the presence of a catalyst, typically platinum or rhenium, and at high temperatures and pressures. This process increases the octane rating of the resulting reformate, making it a valuable component in the production of high-quality gasoline.

In addition to its use in gasoline blending, reformate is also an important source of aromatic compounds, such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes, which are used as feedstocks in the petrochemical industry for the production of various chemicals, plastics, and synthetic fibers.