Bimetallic PdRh catalysts (molar ratio Pd/Rh = I and 2) were prepared by impregnation of a mesoporous aluminosilicate (molar ratio Si/Al = 10 and 20). These materials are destined to be used in industrial processes aiming to improve diesel quality by hydrogenation and ring-opening of aromatic components. The four catalysts were examined for their activity in hydrogenation of naphthalene and tetralin model feedstocks, at 6 MPa, including in the presence of sulfur containing compounds. The capacity of one of these catalysts to improve the quality of hydrogenated industrial light cycle oil containing <= 50 wt ppm of sulfur vas evaluated in a pilot plant. In these industrial conditions, the catalyst has a higher catalytic activity at lower temperature than a reference state of-the-art catalyst, giving a seven-point improvement of the cetane number at 280-300 degrees C and with formation of less than 10% of non-selective cracking products. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.