To provide a method for the preparation of a supported catalyst composition suitable for the oxidation of ethane to ethylene and/or acetic acid, and/or the oxidation of ethylene to acetic acid, the supported catalyst composition prepared according to the method, and a process for the selective oxidation of ethane to ethylene and/or acetic acid, and/or the selective oxidation of ethylene to acetic acid using the supported catalyst composition.

The supported catalyst composition includes a catalyst containing one or more metal components supported on a support comprising α-alumina. The method for the preparation of the supported catalyst composition includes: (a) forming a slurry of the one or more metal components and α-alumina support particles or an α-alumina support precursor; (b) spray-drying the slurry; and, if required, (c) calcinating the spray-dried slurry.