The performances of two different monolithic catalysts are compared in the selective hydrogenation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). The monolith samples were a classical square channel cordierite and one modified with alpha-Al2O3 blocking the macroporosity of the cordierite and rounding the channel cross section.. On both samples a carbon layer was applied by carbonization of a polyfurfuryl alcohol coating obtained by dipcoating. The carbon was oxidized to create anchoring sites for ion exchange with a tetraamminepalladium(II) nitrate solution resulting in a carbon supported Pd catalyst. The rounded channels yielded an even carbon layer, whereas in the square channels an uneven carbon distribution resulted and penetration in the wall. The rounded channel shows a superior performance compared to the square channel sample in the partial hydrogenation of FAMEs, evidenced by the much lower formation of trans double bonds at similar hydrogenation levels of the double bonds. This is ascribed to the much shorter diffusion distances of the reactants and products. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.