Process for the hydrogenation of hydrocarbon resins using catalysts with protective coatings

A process for the hydrogenation of an unsaturated hydrocarbon feedstock comprising:

• (1) preparing a granular material having particles, wherein the particles of the granular material comprise a hydrogenation catalyst, or a precursor thereof, and one or more organic compounds, wherein the one or more organic compounds comprise one or more carboxylic acid and/or one or more ester and/or one or more ether moieties and wherein the one or more organic compounds have a melting point in a range from 30° C. to 100° C.;
• (2) providing an unsaturated hydrocarbon feedstock;
• (3) preparing a mixture comprising the granular material obtained in (1), the unsaturated hydrocarbon feedstock provided in (2), hydrogen gas, and optionally a solvent system;
• and
• (4) heating the mixture prepared in (3) to a temperature in the range of from 210 to 360° C. for hydrogenating the hydrocarbon feedstock.