An additive to enhance the activity of an FCC catalyst containing zeolite
and matrix components comprises zeolite microspheres having a novel
morphology comprising a macroporous matrix and crystallized zeolite
freely coating the walls of the pores of the matrix. The additives formed
from microspheres containing a metakaolin and kaolin calcined through its
exotherm, the latter calcined kaolin being derived from a kaolin having a
high pore volume. Kaolin having a high pore volume can be a pulverized
ultrafine kaolin or a kaolin which has been pulverized to have an
incipient slurry point less than 57% solids.