In the present study, gamma-valerolactone (GVL) is firstly reported to be converted into aromatic hydrocarbons through catalytic pyrolysis. The catalysts and reaction conditions are both critical in maximizing the hydrocarbon selectivity. Four zeolites, i.e. MCM-41, beta-zeolite, ZSM-5 and HZSM-5 were tested in this work, among which HZSM-5 (Si/Al = 25) was found to be the most effective catalyst in both reactivity and selectivity. Under the reaction temperature of 500 degrees C, the highest carbon yield of 56.71% of aromatics was achieved from GVL with HZSM-5 (Si/Al = 25) as catalyst. Moreover, the HZSM-5 catalyst was recycled for five times without significant decrease in product selectivity. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.