NOVELTY - Producing a catalyst using an additive layer method comprises: (a) forming a layer of a powdered catalyst or catalyst support material; (b) binding or fusing the powder in the layer according to a predetermined pattern; (c) repeating (a) and (b) steps layer upon layer to form a shaped unit; and (d) optionally applying a catalytic material to the shaped unit.    USE - The method is useful for producing the catalyst, which is used in: catalyzed reaction comprising hydroprocessing, which includes hydrodesulfurization, a hydrogenation, steam reforming including pre-reforming, catalytic steam reforming, autothermal reforming and secondary reforming and reforming processes used for the direct reduction of iron, catalytic partial oxidation, a water-gas shift including isothermal-shift, sour shift, low-temperature shift, intermediate temperature shift, medium temperature shift and high temperature shift reactions, a methanation, a hydrocarbon synthesis by the Fischer-Tropsch reaction, methanol synthesis, ammonia synthesis, ammonia oxidation and nitrous oxide decomposition reactions, or selective oxidation or reduction reactions of internal combustion engine or power station exhaust gases; and the sorption process comprising a sorption for recovering sulfur compounds or heavy metals including mercury or arsenic from contaminated gaseous or liquid fluid streams, or particulate matter from the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines or power stations (all claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The method provides the catalyst, which exhibits improved catalyst performance, increased geometric surface area to volume ratio, lower specific mass to volume, controlled pore geometry, controlled gas/fluid flow paths, controlled gas/fluid turbulence, controlled gas/fluid residence times, enhanced packing, controlled thermal mass, controlled heat transfer, controlled heat losses, higher conversion efficiency, and better catalytic selectivity.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for:    (1) a catalyst obtained by the method; and    (2) a catalyzed reaction or sorption process using a catalyst, comprising contacting a reactant mixture with the catalyst shaped unit under conditions to effect a catalyzed reaction or sorption.