This paper studies the influence of the support on the behavior of bimetallic CoIr-based catalysts (6.5 wt.% Co, 0.4 wt.% Ir) for hydrogen production from the oxidative steam reforming of bio-butanol raw mixture (butanol/acetone/ethanol = 6/3/1 mass ratio). Catalytic tests were carried out at 500 degrees C for 60 h with raw mixture/water/air/Ar = 1/10/7.5/12 molar ratio and GHSV = 7500 h(-1). Over CoIr/18CeZrO(2) and CoIr/ZnO the main process which took place was the oxidative steam reforming of the raw mixture. CoIr/18CeZrO(2) showed the better catalytic performance. Characterization of the used catalysts indicated that both active metal sintering and coke formation was prevented on the CoIr/18CeZrO(2) catalyst. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.